Chapter 25
Book 3 Chap 2 – Tribulations in love
When Xiang Shaolong returned to his residence, Cheng Xu came up and told him, "Someone from the Wu family is looking for you."
Xiang Shaolong was greatly surprised and with Cheng Xu’s accompaniment, went to the quiet side hall.
A tanned man of about 35 or 36, with 2 exquisite ‘lian’ made of steel crossed behind his back, looking like swords without scabbards, standing straight in the middle of the hall, his eyes s.h.i.+ning, with an imposing aura about him.
The pair of ‘lian’ is about 5 feet long, and it looks like something between a spear and a halberd, just very much shorter.
That person saw Xiang Shaolong, a gleam shot past his eyes and he knelt down, "Wu Zhuo pays his respects to Grand Young Master-in-law."
Xiang Shaolong was overjoyed as he knows that he is the leader of the Wu family’s secret army and hurriedly helped him up. Cheng Xu thoughtfully made his exit.
After they were seated, Wu Zhuo said, "Under Master’s orders, we’ve been scouting ahead for Grand Young Master-in-law, and indeed we found out something."
Xiang Shaolong saw his somber expression and was secretly alarmed.
Wu Zhuo continued in a low voice, "I don’t know who leaked the news, but the most vicious horse thieves between the borders of Wei and Zhao are aware that you are bringing treasures and Zhao’s prettiest ladies and traveling towards Daliang. The situation is extremely unfavorable for you."
Xiang Shaolong furrowed his brows, "The Weis won’t just sit by and do nothing right?"
Wu Zhuo replied, "Someone from Wei secretly told us that not only will King Anli not send anyone to protect you, he even supplied horses and weapons to one of the biggest group of horse thieves called Hui Hu and secretly ordered them to attack your convoy."
Xiang Shaolong was shocked, "Isn’t that Hui Hu the one who attacked us within the borders of Zhao? Why did he go to Wei?"
Wu Zhuo replied, "It’s the same person. At that time they suffered heavy losses after their attack failed, and later the Zhaos pursued them, that’s why they escaped to the Wei border and gathered dissidents on the way. Now they have more than 1000 men, not a force to be taken lightly."
Xiang Shaolong is getting a headache over all these. Firstly why would the King of Wei send men to deal with him, secondly how did he end up working with Hui Hu’s group of horse thieves.
Wu Zhuo added, "All along, we’ve suspected that the few groups of horse thieves within the Zhao border has the backing of the King of Wei so that they will weaken Zhao’s strength. That’s why every time they are in danger, they will escape to the borders of Wei and now this has affirmed our theory."
Xiang Shaolong is getting a splitting headache, the more he finds out about the relations between the various states, the more he feels that the complicated relations.h.i.+p is making him even more confused. He furrowed his brows and asked, "But this time we’re giving the Third Princess of Zhao to the Weis, why would the King of Wei use such methods to receive us?"
Wu Zhuo replied, "I’m not very sure of the real reason, but we can guess that this involves the power struggle between the King of Wei and Prince Xinling. Ever since Prince Xinling stole the military token and defeated the Qin army, his accomplishments is considered greater than his master, so naturally this will incur the wrath and jealousy of the King of Wei. Besides Prince Xinling has stayed in Handan for a long time, so if the King of Wei can destroy the marriage agreement, the most affected by this will naturally be the relations.h.i.+p between Prince Xinling and the Zhaos." He continued, "And the marriage agreement is brought about by Prince Xinling single handedly."
Xiang Shaolong thought to himself ‘Heavens!’ Why are the relations.h.i.+ps between the people in the warring states period so complicated and incomprehensible. Lady Pingyuan was trying to recruit him on behalf of Prince Xinling earlier, and the Zhaos have a more sinister plot to steal Prince Xinling’s ‘Lu Gong’s Secret Manual’. What kind of a relations.h.i.+p is all these?
Wu Zhuo whispered, "We have spies in Hu Hui’s camp, and apparently Hu Hui hates you to the core and is determined to capture you and all the ladies alive and rape all of them right in front of your eyes in order to give vent to his anger."
Xiang Shaolong gave a cold snort, "That’s only wishful thinking on his part." He sighed and continued, "Are there any news of that person who does not wish to be a human but wants to be a beast instead, Xiao Weimou?"
Wu Zhuo shook his head, "This person is famous for being mysterious, every time he attacks it’s a surprise, there’s no clue about an impending attack at all. He’s a lot more frightening than Hui Hu."
Xiang Shaolong is so vexed he felt like pulling out his hair, and said seriously, "The route to Wei was planned by Zhao Mu long ago, with the approval of the King of Zhao, so it cannot be changed. If the person who leaked the news is Zhao Mu, this means that the enemy will be very familiar with our route, so we’ll always be in a situation where we can only react to circ.u.mstances."
Wu Zhuo smiled meaningfully, "Would Grand Young Master-in-law be someone who listens to orders blindly?"
Xiang Shaolong chortled and nodded, "You really understand me." He thought to himself this time he will have to use all his tricks and make use of the modern military knowledge he learnt to deal with the various traps laid along the way.
Wu Zhuo added, "I’ve brought with me a hundred good fighters, to become Grand Young Master-in-law’s family warriors. Hei! To be able to work under Grand Young Master-in-law, we’re all very excited."
Xiang Shaolong was ecstatic, and after the two of them secretly discussed the details, Wu Zhuo left in a hurry.
He’d just stepped out of the hall when he learnt that the pretty maid Xiaozhao had been waiting patiently for him for a long time.
Xiang Shaolong told her to return first. He found Cheng Xu and told him briefly the dangerous situation.
Cheng Xu’s face turned pale on hearing it and said, "I’ll find Zha Yuanyu immediately to discuss this matter and tell him to bring more rations and increase fortifications so that we can deal with the thieves’ attacks."
Zha Yuanyu is Cheng Xu’s a.s.sistant, and also the rations officer for this trip, in charge of setting camp and all co-ordinations. If the enemy were to attack, they’ll either look for dangerous spots to lay a trap, or to steal their rations. Therefore it’s a must to increase the defenses of the camp.
After Cheng Su left, Xiang Shaolong recollected his thoughts and went to the inner courtyard.
Xiaozhao, Xiaoyu and the rest of the maids were all in the hall, happily sewing the armor for him that he will be using to hold his steel needles.
When they saw him arriving, they surrounded him and frantically helped him remove his heavy armor, and tied the inner armor made from cowhide, filled with small and long pockets, with strings around his waist. As if it’s a game, they laughed as they slipped the needles into the st.u.r.dy pouches, revealing only about an inch of the tip of the needles.
He tried a few moves, rapidly pulling out the needles and throwing them towards the wooden door, hitting it with a ‘chook chook’ noise. He realized that although he’s wearing about 20 over catties of flying needles and his armor, but he could still handle the extra weight without any hindrance to his movement and speed.
Xiang Shaolong’s mood changed for the better and after bantering with the maids for a while, he went towards Lady Ya’s room.
The 8 maids continued working hard to make this needle pouch more st.u.r.dy and perfect.
Inside the bedroom Lady Ya seems lost in thought.
Xiang Shaolong walked over and saw that Lady Ya was standing with her back to him next to a window, looking out at the woods, deep in thought.
Zhao Ya has changed into a robe with 2 long silk ta.s.sels hanging down, draped with a well tailored and eye catching robe, her hair combed into 2 buns. Contrasted with her slender waist and fair skin, she looks utterly bewitching.
Xiang Shaolong thought to himself this is truly nature’s finest specimen, no wonder she can charm so many men and become the most famous wanton in Zhao. He tiptoed behind her and grabbed her shoulders, pressing his body against her pert b.u.t.tocks.
He had just uttered the word ‘Lady’ when Zhao Ya shook violently and struggled.
Xiang Shaolong was shocked and let his hands go.
That Zhao Ya ran to a side and turned around, her face filled with fury, and surprisingly it’s the royal Third Princess Zhao Qian.
Xiang Shaolong knows that he’s in trouble and hurriedly knelt down but he was at a loss as to what to say.
Zhao Qian saw that it’s Xiang Shaolong and her anger subsided. In replacement she blushed deeply, stamped her feet and ran away.
Zhao Ya could be heard calling after her outside but obviously she did not manage to stop her.
Xiang Shaolong stood up, her fragrance still lingering on his body, his heart beating erratically.
Lady Ya walked in and she looked unhappy. She stared at him and walked over, asking icily, "Shaolong! What have you done to Zhao Qian?"
Xiang Shaolong was very unhappy with her tone of voice and att.i.tude. Besides he was not in a good mood after hearing Wu Zhuo’s news so he thought to himself, so be it that you do not trust me, why should I explain to you. He gave a cold snort and walked out the door.
After all Lady Ya is one who is used to having her orders obeyed, and although she loves Xiang Shaolong extremely, she is firstly annoyed that he touched the untouchable Third Princess, and because she could not tolerate such an att.i.tude, she cried out angrily, "Stay there!"
Xiang Shaolong stopped walking, and thought of her promiscuous past and also how