Chapter 283
Book 25 Chapter 06 - Thick Clouds Of War
Back at Wu Residence, Xiang Shaolong learnt that Qin Qing is here and found her with Ji Yanran in the hall, whispering secretively to each other. Both ladies wore a heavy expression on their faces and forcefully mustered a smile at the sight of him.
A bewildered Xiang Shaolong sat and questioned: "Why are the two of you in a state of anxiety?"
Ji Yanran explained: "Crown Prince has officially decreed Sister Qing to accompany him to Yongdu in order to a.s.sist him with the coronation procedures. Sister Qing is feeling distressed over this. She cannot afford to disobey the decree and yet, it is not ideal for her to go to Yongdu."
Xiang Shaolong violently trembled: "No one knows me better than Yingzheng. He has..h.i.t me at my Achilles Heel."
With a frantic expression, Qin Qing dismissed in a melancholic tone: "Just leave without me. I don’t think he has the guts to vent his frustration on me. After the dust has settled, I will look for you people at the borderlands!"
Recomposing himself, Xiang Shaolong shook his head decisively and declared: "No! If we are leaving, we will leave together. Otherwise, the heart wrenching pain of pining for each other will torture me to no ends."
Listening to Xiang Shaolong’s emotional outburst, Qin Qing is so touched her lovely eyes begin to turn red.
Ji Yanran suggested: "Yanran can disguise myself as Sister Qing’s personal maid and can react to any unforeseen circ.u.mstances."
Briefly dazed, Xiang Shaolong agreed: "That’s a good plan and the enemy would not antic.i.p.ate it. If necessary, I can get Jing Jun to personally fetch both of you at Yongdu. In terms of ninja climbing skills, who can hold a candle to him?"
Qin Qing wondered: "I would like to learn about Hubby Xiang’s ninja climbing skills. Are you willing to teach me?"
Hearing her words, Xiang Shaolong and Ji Yanran stared at each other with a flabbergasted countenance. Qin Qing is such a civilized, prim and proper beauty. If she were to pick up the climbing skills of the Wu Family Special Forces, how would she eventually turn out?
That night, Xiao Yuetan leisurely strolled back.
Everyone quickly gathered in the secret room for a discussion.
Xiao Yuetan started: "If not for Master Tu keeping Traitor Lu under secret surveillance, as we walk down the path of reincarnation, we would remain as muddle-headed ghosts."
Everyone flinched and swiftly pressed him for details.
Xiao Yuetan clarified: "Lu Buwei is now facing a shortage of reliable talents and had no choice but to a.s.sign heavy responsibilities to his pioneering family warriors which Master Tu headed. Hence, Master Tu is able to comprehend the finer details of Traitor Lu’s schemes."
Ji Yanran exposed: "Of late, Lu Buwei has kept a low profile and appeared to be vulnerable and in a state of decline. So it is just an act."
Jing Jun antagonistically cursed: "This time round, we must tear him to shreds."
Xiao Yuetan chuckled: "We have neglected Lu Buwei’s last trick in the bag: His allies from the Six Eastern States. Among the Kings of the six States, each and every one of them views Yingzheng as a savage beast that will devour everything in its path. In order to topple Yingzheng, they are willing to pay any price. In their opinion, if Lao Ai can end up as the King of Qin, it would be even better."
Xiang Shaolong’s face turned pale: "Would he have the audacity to open up the pa.s.ses and simply allow the allied army to pa.s.s through?"
Xiao Yuetan chortled: "Even if he possesses the guts to do so, it would be futile. The soldiers of Qin love their country and would not carry out the order. In addition, the Three States, Chu and Yan are severely handicapped by Shaolong’s a.s.sault. Even if we open up the pa.s.ses, their armies would not have the conviction to proceed with the invasion. Nevertheless, the six States has dispatched four teams of kamikaze desperados, each of them a highly skilled fighter who is able to fight off a hundred men. At an opportune moment, they will execute their well-planned a.s.sa.s.sination attempt. Their four targets are Yingzheng, Xiang Shaolong, Lord Changping and Li Si."
Of course Yingzheng and Xiang Shaolong would be among the chosen targets.
Lord Changping and Li Si are the top military and civil officials of Yingzheng. If they are out of the picture, the hundreds of civil and military officials would be leaderless, giving Lu Buwei a chance to take charge.
Xiang Shaolong thought: The person they should really try to a.s.sa.s.sinate is w.a.n.g Jian. However, Lu Buwei is probably still in the dark about w.a.n.g Jian’s return.
Presently, the State of Qin is undergoing a critical period in its evolution. The minute Xiao Pan ascends the throne; the two camps of Lu Buwei and Lao Ai will perish without a burial place.
Tao Fang enquired in a deep voice: "Are these men in Xianyang?"
Xiao Yuetan answered: "To conceal their presence, they are holing up in the nearby mountain caves and forests while their food rations are provided by Master Tu. Ladies and Gentlemen, you should realize what a favourable arrangement this is."
Ji Yanran inquired: "Is Manager Tu aware of their plans and details?"
Xiao Yuetan disclosed: "With regards to this, Imperial Infantry Commander Xu Shang is the one with all the information. As long as we can capture him alive, I would be able to force a confession out of him."
Teng Yi professed: "If Xu Shang steps out of the City, we would be able to capture him alive for Mister’s interrogation. But if he stations himself within the Command Centre, we are powerless unless we chose to attack him head on."
Xu Shang himself is a master swordsman and is a resident of Imperial Uncle Residence. Wherever he goes, he would be escorted by a sizable entourage of bodyguards. Within the Command Centre, it is a concentration of his men and influence. Killing him might be workable but capturing him alive is going to be an incredible feat.
From his bosom, Xiao Yuetan produced a roll of parchment. Spreading it across the table, he narrated: "This is a complete blueprint of Imperial Uncle Residence, including all the defensive traps and hidden rooms. If we employ certain strategies instead of brute force, it is quite possible for us to a.s.sa.s.sinate Lu Buwei and kidnap Xu Shang."
Pausing, he added: "Master Tu has prepared a powerful anesthetic; if we put it in the drinking wells of Imperial Uncle Residence, its consumers can forget about waking up within three days."
Jing Jun cheered: "That’s brilliant!"
Xiang Shaolong probed: "Since Senior Tu did partic.i.p.ate in Lu Buwei’s confidential meetings, did he manage to learn about his complete scheme?"
Xiao Yuetan icily grinned: "Even if Master Tu did not partic.i.p.ate in the meetings, Traitor Lu cannot pull the wool over his eyes. Traitor Lu’s plan is to unleash two simultaneous attacks. When Lao Ai is staging his rebellion at Yongdu, he would launch his own uprising at Xianyang and kill everyone who opposes him."
Pausing, he continued: "It is imperative to successfully a.s.sa.s.sinate Yingzheng. With Yingzheng dead, Lu Buwei can use the excuse of attacking Lao Ai and obtain full military control of Qin.
Tao Fang frowned: "If Lao Ai failed in his rebellion, wouldn’t Traitor Lu’s beautiful dream end up in smoke? And he would be labeled as a stinking insurgent."
Xiao Yuetan enlightened: "That’s why Traitor Lu has instructed Guan Zhongxie to proceed to Yongdu to meet up with the experts from the six States and oversee their a.s.sa.s.sination maneuvers. Based on his remarkable archery skills, he has a decent shot at success. At the end of the day, Yingzheng is not familiar with layout of Yongdu."
Everybody is in a state of agitation. If they do not act first and get rid of this man, he would become a most fearful threat.
Xiang Shaolong sighed: "We did suspect this move from Lu Buwei; unfortunately, it turned out to be true. Is there any way to pinpoint Guan Zhongxie’s location?"
Xiao