Chapter 59
Book 6 Chap 3 – News from afar
The following 10 days, Xiang Shaolong spent the most relaxing time ever since he arrived in this ancient era.
Together with his wives and maids, Teng Yi, Jing Jun, Wu Zhuo and the thousand family warriors who followed him from Handan, they went to the Wu family’s newly established farm at the outskirts to rest and relax.
The farm is very big and on a fast horse it takes at least 2 hours to ride from one end to the other and it has 18 simple but well equipped houses. They chose a courtyard next to a pretty valley and named it ‘Hidden Dragon Courtyard’.
Every morning when they wake up, he will ride with his wives and maids on the open plains and at the same time practice his archery. He also got the 3 highly skilled fighters Teng Yi, Wu Zhuo and Jing Jun to duel with him and practice the use of various weapons as a warm up practice for the duel with that still unknown person whom Lord Yangquan and the rest are going to choose.
The ‘Elite Soldiers’ have expanded to 300 men from the original 77 men and they practice day and night to prepare themselves so that they can be chosen to return to Handan in future to capture Zhao Mu alive.
With a real special task force warrior like Xiang Shaolong heading the unit, this batch of people improved by leaps and bounds and learnt the various spying and tactics used once they have infiltrated the enemy camp.
There are a lot of people in the Wu family and some of them are craftsmen who know how to work with metal. Following Xiang Shaolong’s instructions, Wu Zhuo set up a workshop for the blacksmiths and they made secret weapons like climbing hooks and flying needles according to his designs.
Xiang Shaolong also did not forget to meditate according to the instructions on the scroll taken from the Mohist token. Teng Yi was very interested after he found out about this and learnt the technique from him and he practices it with greater effect than Xiang Shaolong.
Xiang Shaolong might as well just give him the scroll so that he can study the military and sword fighting techniques on the scroll on his own. Their relations.h.i.+p is now even closer than real brothers.
Just as they were enjoying the bliss, Tao Fang came.
Everyone gathered in the hall for a meeting.
Tao Fang exclaimed excitedly, "There’s news from Handan and it’s really exciting." But he did not immediately continue with his story.
When everyone saw him trying to keep them in suspense, they were so anxious. The only exception was Teng Yi who remained unmoving and calm as usual.
Tao Fang said with a laugh, "Let me tell you one issue at a time! This time the person who was most affected by us is Zhao Mu. Only when the Zhaos found our secret tunnel that led to outside the city did they realize they have been tricked. Later then received news that the real Ying Zheng has reached Xianyang and King Xiaocheng was so upset he fell sick and also gave Zhao Mu a terrible scolding, refusing to see him for one whole month. Their relations.h.i.+p only improved a little recently but Zhao Mu’s influence is not as before. Instead that Guo Kai must have said something and managed to trick that muddle headed King Xiaocheng into trusting him."
Xiang Shaolong can’t help but ask, "How is Zhao Ya’s situation?"
Tao Fang knows that he has not forgotten this capricious beauty and said with a sigh, "She fell very ill as well. That Qi Yu still wanted to look for her but she chased him out of her residence and many people saw that!"
Wu Zhuo asked in bewilderment, "The King of Zhao did not blame her at all?"
Tao Fang said with a sigh, "It seems that she had once tried very hard to persuade the King of Zhao not to deal with Shaolong so now the muddle headed ruler is now feeling a little regret over that and she is so seriously ill as well. It could be due to these reasons that Zhao Ya’s standing is not very much affected. Now everyone in Handan is fearful, worried that we will lead the Qin army to attack Zhao. Recently King Xiaocheng has sent envoys to the various states hoping to join forces with them to deal with the Qin’s invasion. What a joyous outcome."
Teng Yi asked, "What’s the fate of the fake Ying Zheng?"
Tao Fang shook his head and sighed, "Executed by Zhao Mu. He was so furious and he can only take it out on this innocent and pitiful person."
Although Xiang Shaolong felt a little sad about this, but it’s something that cannot be helped.
Tao Fang suddenly reached out and put his hand on Xiang Shaolong’s shoulder and said quietly, "Let me tell you something but you must not get angry."
Xiang Shaolong was stunned and asked, "What’s the matter?"
A strange look pa.s.sed over Tao Fang’s eyes as he said solemnly, "There’s news of Mei Canniang."
Xiang Shaolong’s expression changed as he asked, "She’s dead?"
Tao Fang shook his head, "No! She married to another village nearby and even has a son now. Her husband is quite a famous hunter and it seems that he’s quite in love with her."
Xiang Shaolong was stunned for a moment, and felt more relaxed instead. He thought of their parting and maybe at that time Mei Canniang has already made up her mind not to leave that peaceful place. That’s good too! Most importantly she has found someone good.
Jing Jun went to stand next to Tao Fang and whispered, "Did you send my letter to Zhao Zhi?"
Teng Yi was shocked and exclaimed, "Did you reveal in your letter that we will be returning to Handan?"
Teng Yi was startled and replied, "Of course not, how can I not know the severity of this matter."
Tao Fang took out a letter and pressed it into Jing Jun’s hands and said with a laugh, "It seems that Zhao Zhi is a little interested in you!"
Jing Jun exclaimed with joy, turned 3 somersaults and dashed off in a rush, causing everyone else to laugh at him.
Tao Fang saw that even after hearing the news about Mei Canniang, Xiang Shaolong still remained calm so he was a.s.sured and continued, "The man we sent to Daliang has returned with news, it seems that Learned Lady Ji has gone to the state of Chu."
Xiang Shaolong was stunned, "Oh no! She must be going to Handan to look for me."
At the same time everyone understood his meaning. Naturally Learned Lady Ji cannot go directly to Zhao to look for him so she can only go to Chu first and then travel to Handan via Qi.
In ancient times communications is not very convenient and most likely Ji Yanran is still unaware of what has happened in Handan.
However Xiang Shaolong could not think straight due to his concern and said with determination, "We’ll go to Handan immediately!"
Tao Fang replied, "We have to at least wait until the day after. The Qins have already selected a person to fight with you for the position of the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor and the duel is set for the day after in front of his Majesty. Anyone who has some status will be there to watch the duel."
Wu Zhuo asked, "Who is that person?"
Tao Fang replied, "I think he’s called w.a.n.g Jian!"
Xiang Shaolong was greatly stunned and thought how can there be such a coincidence.
Xiang Shaolong sat alone to think next to a tiny waterfall near the farm.
In this Warring States era, there is indeed paradise everywhere, just like the rare scenery right before his eyes. The mountain peaks standing in line, strange and unique rocks, clear water flowing in between, waterfalls and ponds and the moving water reflecting the rays of the sun. One can never grow tired of seeing this scenery.
He sat next to a pond, listening to the musical sounds of the waterfall falling into the clear pond, looking at the lush green bamboo trees next to the bank waving in the wind. The scene is filled with the sense of spring, life and growth and he can’t help but feel energized.
But once his attention turned to the duel the day after, he’s filled with gloom again.
No matter which one of them wins, he’s afraid there’ll be a problem.
The problem is whether he can change history.
If the answer is no, he can then not bother himself with anything and retire to the woods happily, enjoying life with his wives and maids everyday and Xiao Pan