Chapter 54
Book 5 Chap 9 – The Big Exchange
Early the next morning, an impatient Xiang Shaolong slipped quietly into the streets and deliberately went a big round before coming to where the poor lived in at the west of the city.
Although it’s where the poor lived, their lives are not that bad, only their houses were a little run down and the fallen walls not repaired! Most of the people here used to be farmers but the wars destroyed their farms and hence they have no choice but to find work in the city.
He followed the address and came at last to the South Alley which Zhu Ji told him.
At this time he can’t help but feel nervous as he grabbed a pa.s.serby and asked, "Where is Zhang Li’s house?"
That person saw that he looked respectable and pointed to a fenced up house at the end of the alley and said, "That is his house!" He seemed to have some words which he found difficult to say, but he just shook his head, sighed and left.
Xiang Shaolong was not concerned at all and his mood became more relaxed. He secretly thought that this should be right, and walked over. He went to the door and shouted, "Zhang Li! Zhang Li!"
A forty over year old average looking woman stuck her head out and eyed Xiang Shaolong suspiciously for a moment before asking, "Who is looking for Zhang Li?"
Xiang Shaolong said with a smile, "You must be Madam Zhang!" He took out the jade piece and showed it to her.
With a ‘bang’, Madam Zhang slammed the door close as if she has seen a ghost.
Xiang Shaolong was totally dumbfounded by her reaction and stared at the closed wooden door like a r.e.t.a.r.d.
In a short while an argument between a man and a woman can be heard from inside.
Xiang Shaolong now understood. Naturally they are unwilling to return a child whom they have raised for 10 years, so he can only compensate them well with money.
He reached out and lightly knocked on the bra.s.s ring on the door.
After a pause the door opened and a man stood next to the door and said with lowered head, "Sir, please come in."
Xiang Shaolong saw that he looked honest and secretly complimented Zhu Ji’s subordinate for knowing how to choose a person rightly.
He stepped into the house and saw that woman sitting at a corner weeping. A cloud of gloom hung in the house and there’s no liveliness in it at all.
He did not even hear any child’s voice or clothing and items.
Xiang Shaolong furrowed his brow and asked, "Where’s the child?"
The woman sobbed even more uncontrollably.
Zhang Li’s eyes reddened as he said painfully, "Dead!"
That word sounded thunderous and made Xiang Shaolong’s body tremble. He almost had an heart attack as he exclaimed in shock, "How did he die?"
Zhang Li said miserably, "Few years ago when the Yans attacked Handan, all children above the age of 13 were conscripted to defend the city, and he was killed by one of the random arrows shot by the Yans. Although we took your money, we could not protect the child, just kill us! There’s no meaning living on anyway."
Xiang Shaolong exclaimed hoa.r.s.ely, "But he wasn’t even 10 years old last year!" He remembered the behavior of the pa.s.serby earlier and now understood that he was feeling sorry that they have lost their son.
Zhang Li replied, "We can only blame that he’s a lot bigger built than 13 year old kids. While he was outside playing one day, he was captured by pa.s.sing soldiers."
Xiang Shaolong collapsed onto a chair and buried his face in his hands.
Heavens! Emperor Qin is actually dead, what should he do?
No! This is impossible, this couple must be lying. But looking at their expressions, he knows that this is the truth, especially when there’s a new memorial tablet placed on a table on one side of the wall.
Zhang Li took out a jade piece and handed it to him, "This was taken from his body. He’s buried in out back garden, would Sir want to take a look?"
Xiang Shaolong removed his hands and his eyes fell on the jade piece.
A ridiculous yet bold idea came uncontrollably to him.
Xiang Shaolong went to Lady Ya’s residence and as expected, Zhao Ya has not returned.
There are more unfamiliar faces in the residence. He did not see any of those whom he is familiar with like Zhao Da and the rest. Amongst the maids, with the exception of Xiao Zhao and Xiao Mei, the rest have all been transferred away.
Xiang Shaolong knows that Zhao Ya will certainly have a very good excuse for all these arrangements, but he still wants to hear her say it personally. The more she lies to him, the more he can turn his love for her into hatred.
Zhao Pan was practicing his swordplay alone in the back garden with deep concentration but once Xiang Shaolong stepped into the garden, he could detect him and he ran forward with his sword as if he has seen the only family he has in the world.
Xiang Shaolong pulled out the sword named Blood Wave which Li Mu gave him and shouted, "Lad, look out for the sword!"
Zhao Pan’s eyes gleamed as he slashed forward with his sword.
Xiang Shaolong stood easily with his sword and said with a stern expression, "Do you think this is a game? Be more vicious!"
Zhao Pan roared as he executed the Mohist swordplay and slashed and stabbed at Xiang Shaolong, making a total of 7 attacks.
When he reached the 7th stance, he was finally disarmed by the reverberations mainly because he is smaller sized and not as strong.
Zhao Pan looked totally dejected and extremely unhappy over his defeat but there’s nothing he can do.
Xiang Shaolong picked up the long sword for him and took him to the tiny bridge in the middle of the garden. They sat on the low barrier and he said seriously, "Xiao Pan! Do you really have the perseverance to eliminate all difficulties and avenge your mother?"
Zhao Pan nodded his head with resolution, "No matter what, I must kill Zhao Mu and the King."
Xiang Shaolong asked solemnly, "Aren’t you good friends with the Crown Prince?"
Zhao Pan said unhappily, "He’s never been my friend, he only knows how to use his position to bully me. Ever since Mother got to know you, he’s been going around telling everyone that Mother is a s.lut. If it’s possible, I want to kill him as well." He suddenly added, "But even if I become as formidable as Teacher, I still won’t be able to kill them, or else Teacher would have killed them long ago."
Xiang Shaolong was secretly surprised at his astute observation and said with a smile, "You want revenge, I want revenge as well. Why not we split duties, I will deal with Zhao Mu while you will deal with that muddle headed ruler King Xiaocheng, how about that?"
Zhao Pan did not expect Xiang Shaolong to think so highly of him and he stared at him with huge eyes, looking morosely at his only ‘family’.
Xiang Shaolong said, "Now I am going to tell you a very important thing, if you really have the determination to avenge your mother’s humiliation, then instruct me to go ahead. Otherwise you are never to reveal anything about this at all, not even to Princess Qian and Lady Ya."
Zhao Pan jumped up, kneeled on the ground and kowtowed to him 3 times, his eyes reddened as he said, "As long as I can avenge Mother, I am willing to do anything."
Xiang Shaolong said quietly, "Stand up!"
Zhao Pan stood up, his eyes filled with the look of extreme curiosity.
Xiang Shaolong smiled a little and continued, "I want you to become Emperor Qin who unifies the 6 states!"
Zhao