Chapter 48
Book 5 Chap 3 – Mother of Emperor Qin
After Yan Ping left quietly after his defeat, Xiang Shaolong took the opportunity to take his leave.
Li Mu happily gave him a lift and his men gave up 3 horses for Teng Yi and the rest while Xiang Shaolong was invited up the carriage with him.
The entourage rode slowly down the hill of the Guo residence.
Li Mu was silent for a moment before he bared himself, "This time we can tolerate it no longer and decided to throw in the hatchet, using Lady Ni’s incident to have a last confrontation with Zhao Mu." He put his hand on Xiang Shaolong’s shoulder and said seriously, "The Premier and I have been keeping a close watch on you. Shaolong you are our Great Zhao’s a rare talent of this generation, and you’re still so young." He sighed before continuing, "If his Majesty still wants to protect Zhao Mu this time, Shaolong should leave Zhao immediately and go somewhere else to find your fame. Don’t be like us and stay on blindly to protect a country with no hope."
Xiang Shaolong was surprised, "We’ve gotten the secret manual, why are you still so pessimistic. I think the people of Great Zhao are slowly getting prosperous and in another few years we’ll regain our lost strength!"
Li Mu interrupted him, "Shaolong you’re still not very familiar with affairs of the state. Even without the battle of Changping which greatly weakened us, we still have our disadvantages. They are they Xiong Nus who kept encroaching on our borders, and in order to deal with them, our resources will be depleted in the long run. That’s why among the various states, only Great Zhao has the least population. Although we have many famous generals, but ever since the beginning of the empire, we can only defend our soil and does not have the ability to expand."
Xiang Shaolong sincerely felt a liking for this famous general who is on par with Lian Po and can’t help but ask, "Since you can see this point so clearly, why are you still in Zhao and not leaving?"
Li Mu looked out the window, a look of extreme sadness flashed in his eyes as he sighed quietly and said, "Man is not without feelings, unlike plants and trees. I have been defending the northern border for so long, fighting the Xiong Nus, and have established a deep relations.h.i.+p with those living at the borders. If I abandon them and leave, who else can stop the vicious and merciless Xiong Nus, how can I bear to let them be murdered. Hai!"
There was helplessness in his words.
Xiang Shaolong was moved and asked, "Can you delay the submission of your doc.u.ment to his Majesty for 1 to 2 days."
A light flashed past Li Mu’s eyes as he stared at him and asked, "You seem to be confident, what ingenious move do you have?"
Xiang Shaolong respects him from the bottom of his heart so without hiding a single thing, told him about the possibility that Zhao Mu is a spy sent by the Chus to create havoc.
Li Mu grabbed his shoulders tightly, a ray of hope shot from his eyes as he said, "Shaolong you’re really something. We’ll use this point, which has never been thought of to deal with Zhao Mu. I’ll be staying in Handan for a few days, we’ll keep in close contact and coordinate the timing to submit the doc.u.ment."
The 2 of them discussed a little more and soon they arrived at the Wu family stockade. Before he left the carriage, Li Mu held him back and said, "Shaolong you’re still young and full of vigor and may find it difficult to resist temptations. You may know that wine and women can harm a person, even an iron man will not be able to withstand days and nights of merry making. Shaolong you must remember that."
Xiang Shaolong knows that his flirtatious escapades, especially his affair with Lady Ya, have spread far. That’s why Li Mu had such an advice for him. He blushed and lowered his head to accept the lecture.
He had just stepped into the Wu residence when the guards immediately called him and Wu Zhuo to meet with Wu Yingyuan while Teng and Jing both returned to the back courtyard to rest.
Wu Yingyuan was accompanied by Tao Fang and received them in the secret room in his inner chamber. After listening to the report on this recent trip, he praised them before saying, "Tu Xian just sent someone to contact me, saying that Lu Buwei’s situation now is not too good. His enemies in the Qin court is using the reason that he’s not a Qin to carry rumors to King Zhuangxiang and wants him to be excluded. King Zhuangxiang is someone who is easily swayed and he may be convinced by them. Therefore the matter of moving Ying Zheng and his mother back to Xianyang cannot be delayed further. With she and her son next to King Zhuangxiang, Lu Buwei’s status will be as stable as a mountain and he may even become the premier. Otherwise even our hopes will be dashed."
Xiang Shaolong was still moved by what Li Mu had said so he furrowed his brows, "Can we delay it for a few days, and see if there’s hope to topple Zhao Mu first?"
Wu Yingyuan looked at him with concentration, "I know you can’t wait to tear Zhao Mu to pieces, but this is after all a personal feud. You should take into account the bigger picture. Now the fate of the Wu family is on your shoulders, one mistake and everyone will perish."
Xiang Shaolong sighed quietly, "If Zhao Mu is toppled, is there still hope for Great Zhao?"
Wu Yingyuan was irritated and interrupted him, "That’s just wishful thinking. Even if Zhao Mu is killed, with such a muddleheaded ruler like King Xiaocheng, the Zhao family will still be destined to die. The Crown Prince is nothing good as well. The only way out for the Wu family is to rely on Qin, that is the only hope."
Xiang Shaolong lowered his head speechlessly, and knows that after his conversation with Li Mu, he has been greatly moved by his great sacrifice.
Only Wu Yingyuan, this 100% businessman is more formidable. He doesn’t talk about feelings, only about actual benefits, because history has long proven that what he said is indeed correct.
Wu Yingyuan dotes greatly on this son-in-law in his heart and knows that his words have been a little too stern, so his voice turned more gentle as he said, "I know that Shaolong is smarter than others, I wonder if you have any headway regarding the matter of sending Ying Zheng and his mother back?"
Xiang Shaolong braced himself up and said, "It’s still too early now. After I rest for a while, I will look for Zhuji. Only if she can be convinced will the matter be able to succeed."
Wu Yingyuan and the rest were stunned.
It’s already the ‘Mou’* hour and he still said it’s too early?
(*Mou – Time between 7pm to 9pm)
Does he want to wait until the middle of the night to sneak into Zhuji’s bedchamber?
Xiang Shaolong soaked himself in the pool, his mind in a dilemma.
He is someone who places great emphasis on relations.h.i.+ps. The first place he came to after traveling in the time machine is the state of Zhao and after spending these time with the Zhaos, and after how he and the Zhao army relied on each other when they went to Wei, he’s already established close relations with them. Subconsciously he has regarded Zhao as his own country and hope to do something for her.
But he knows that even if he gets rid of Zhao Mu, the state of Zhao won’t be any better. Such a torn feeling made him even more dejected.
Ting Fangs.h.i.+ who is next to him asked gently, "What is Shaolong thinking about?"
Wu Tingfang who is on the other side said with a little jealousy, "Of course he’s thinking of Sister Ya and Princess Qian!"
Xiang Shaolong hugged the 2 naked beauties and remembered Li Mu’s warning about not indulging in wine and women so he said with a bitter smile, "With you two beauties next to me, how can I think of other women. It’s because I have a matter to attend to tonight and cannot accompany you, that’s why I was feeling troubled."
Wu Tingfang said understandingly, "Master Tao has informed us, Xiang Lang just put your mind at ease and go. We will wait for your return obediently. Ai! I forgot to tell you, ever since you went to Daliang, Sister Ting has been sleeping with me every night, talking about our secrets. Tonight us sisters will wait for you on the bed."
Xiang Shaolong secretly thought, "Oh heavens!", if they want intimacy everytime, it’ll be very difficult even if he wants to avoid wine and women.
Wu Tingfang continued excitedly, "I did not expect even Yan Ping is not your match and I really hope you can put that Zhao Ba down a peg or two as well."
Xiang Shaolong thought of Zhao Zhi and can’t help but ask about her.
Wu Tingfang lowered her head with embarra.s.sment as she replied, "I heard she’s one of the lovers of that baddie Lian Jin. You killed Lian Jin so naturally she’ll hate you to the core."
Xiang Shaolong was suddenly enlightened.
The reason why Zhao Ba is so full of hatred for him may be related to this, and not because he is in cahoots with Zhao Mu. But of course there may be other reasons as well.
Whether in this era or the 21st century, whoever have power will certainly have other people