After Western Xia was completely incorporated into Chu's territory, Qin Zheng ordered his two-hundred-thousand-strong army to advance in three columns, thrusting straight into the heartland of Tubo.
Bandits from the Longmen Escort Agency rode west out of the Qinling Mountains, coordinating with the main army to pillage Tubo's supply convoys. Their methods were so professional that every imperial soldier and officer was struck dumb with shock.
Once Tubo lost a steady supply of grain and fodder, Chu's army won three victories in three battles within three months, thoroughly wiping out the three divisions of Tubo. Ever since the assassination of Langdarma, the last Zanpu of the Tubo Dynasty, the Western Regions had been divided for more than two hundred years; now, they were finally reunified under Chu.
When Jiumozhi received the news, he went completely numb.
Didn't I come to the Central Plains to stir up discord among other countries? How is it that before I've accomplished a single thing, Tubo is already gone?
Seeking revenge on Qin Zheng was out of the question—after all, he could only fight him to a draw. For now, he could only practice the Sunflower Manual and hunt down Ding Chunqiu for some meager consolation...
At that thought, Jiumozhi pulled himself together and set off once more in pursuit of Ding Chunqiu.
In Bianjing, inside a tavern.
Unable to sleep at night, Su Shi had called Zhang Huaimin out for a drink. The two sat together with gloomy faces, facing each other in silence.
His younger brother Su Zhe had recently been promoted to vice chancellor and had arranged for him to be recalled to the capital; he ought to have been delighted.
Yet given the current state of affairs, with the Great Song completely surrounded by Chu and all the passes in Qinchuan to the west lost, he could not find it in him to feel happy at all.
After an unknown time, Zhang Huaimin let out a long sigh. "Alas, that lad we met at Chengtian Temple back then has actually become the Emperor of Chu today. Worldly affairs truly are impossible to foresee."
Su Shi furrowed his brows slightly. "Indeed. Now that his grand momentum is established, do you think his next step will be deploying troops against Great Song?"
Zhang Huaimin gave a wry smile. "Isn't that just a matter of time...?"
As they spoke, footsteps sounded from downstairs. Qin Zheng came upstairs leading Duan Yu and the others. Catching sight of Su Shi and Zhang Huaimin, Qin Zheng was slightly surprised.
"Gentlemen, unable to sleep again, out on another night stroll?"
"It's Brother Dongpo who couldn't sleep. I was dragged awake by him..."
Zhang Huaimin studied Qin Zheng, finding his appearance and tone strangely familiar. A moment later, his pupils abruptly contracted, and he blurted out, "Qin Zheng!"
Qin Zheng gave a slight smile. "I didn't expect Mister Zhang to still recognize me. It is truly an honor."
With a complicated expression, Zhang Huaimin said, "Anyone who got held up by a half-grown kid would remember it for a lifetime."
Back when he and Su Shi were both demoted, Su Shi, unable to sleep, went to Chengtian Temple to wake him. After their night stroll, they happened to wake Qin Zheng, who was also staying at the temple. In a fit of pique, Qin Zheng tied the two of them up.
Fortunately, Master Zhiguang intervened in time to talk him down. Qin Zheng merely took the silver on them as a token ransom; otherwise, they would have been hauled off by Qin Zheng to the yamen for ransom, which would have been utterly humiliating!
Su Shi frowned deeply. "What are you doing here? And why haven't you brought any guards? Aren't you afraid of running into danger?"
Qin Zheng said pointedly, "Tell me, if something happened to me here, who would be the most frightened?"
Su Shi gave a self-mocking chuckle. "Naturally, Empress Dowager Gao. If something happened to you within Great Song territory, Empress Dowager Gao would probably be losing sleep just like me."
Qin Zheng led his companions to sit down and said, "I'm heading to Leigu Mountain to hold a bride-seeking martial contest and happened to pass through here. Keep drinking; pay me no mind."
Su Shi's eyes lit up. "Why go far afield, Emperor of Chu? Princess Shushou has just turned sixteen, virtuous and gentle, unwed and dwelling in her chambers. She would make an ideal match for you!"
Qin Zheng paused in mild surprise. "Doesn't Great Song always oppose peace-marriages, preferring to increase annual tribute rather than ever sending away a princess? Aren't you afraid court officials will impeach you for saying such things?"
Su Shi explained, "What we say is that we don't form marriage alliances with barbarian states! You are no foreign barbarian monarch!"
"Well, look at that..."
Qin Zheng said with an odd expression, "It seems I'll have to decline your kindness. I'm holding a bride-seeking martial contest for someone else, not for myself."
Su Shi dared not press further, merely remarking with some regret, "Alas, what a pity..."
By this time, wine and dishes had been served.
While eating, Qin Zheng said to Duan Zhengchun, "When you go back, tell your royal brother to find a way to gather Gao Shengtai and the others together. My people will cooperate with him to uproot the Gao clan entirely. When that's done, he can take monastic vows wherever he pleases, and no one will ever bother him again."
Duan Zhengchun was caught between tears and laughter. "Urging an emperor to rebel—Hero Qin, you truly are the first in all antiquity!"
Qin Zheng said in all seriousness, "If you don't want me marching armies to conquer Dali, this is the only path forward. Besides, your Dali royal family has never run the actual state affairs, so you needn't fear me purging you. Your elder brother will certainly agree. Once that's settled, hurry to Leigu Mountain. Don't miss it under any circumstances—after all, you wouldn't want Dao Baifeng's bride-seeking martial contest to succeed, would you?"
Fuming, Duan Zhengchun clenched his fists and, leaving his food untouched, set off that very night to rush toward Dali.
Having finished his meal, Qin Zheng nodded to Su Shi and Zhang Huaimin, took his leave, and led his entourage toward Leigu Mountain.
Watching them depart, Su Shi's expression instantly tensed. "Qin Zheng intends to overthrow Dali! A matter of such gravity must be reported to the imperial court at once!"
Zhang Huaimin said, "Let us inform Ziyou and have him enter the palace tonight to report!" With that, he left a string of copper coins and rose to leave.
The tavern waiter quickly stepped in front of them, bowing low with an apologetic smile. "My lords, you haven't settled the bill yet!"
Su Shi froze, his face darkening. "We only ordered a pot of wine and two small side dishes. The coins on the table should be more than enough!"
The waiter gave a helpless smile. "When those guests at the two tables just left, they said their bill was on the two of you as well."
The grave expression on Su Shi's face instantly crumbled. "..."
That damned bandit! How could he still pull bandit stunts even after becoming an Emperor?!
On Leigu Mountain, Master Congbian, Su Xinghe, noticed that things had been strange of late: numerous jianghu figures were flocking toward Leigu Mountain, as though gathering for some grand assembly.
Wuyazi noticed he was troubled and asked, "Xinghe, what troubles your mind? Speak, let your master hear it."
Su Xinghe bowed respectfully and obediently explained, "Master, many jianghu figures have been heading toward Leigu Mountain lately. This disciple is somewhat worried they might disturb Master's quiet cultivation."
Wuyazi gave a faint smile. "What 'quiet cultivation'? Don't just pick pleasant words. You're afraid Ding Chunqiu sent them looking for me, aren't you?"
Su Xinghe sighed. "Indeed, nothing escapes Master. Master, if these people truly were gathered by Ding Chunqiu, then matters are dire. How about we move elsewhere? My disciple Xue Muhua has wide connections. If we have him find us a hiding spot, Ding Chunqiu surely won't find us."
Wuyazi shook his head slightly and said, "What must come will come; there is no hiding from it. In recent days, I have divined that a turn of fortune is approaching, which must be tied to these visiting jianghu figures. Just wait with an easy mind. Oh, while you are at it, set out the Zhenlong Go Puzzle and see if anyone can solve it."
Taking his orders, Su Xinghe went outside and set out the Zhenlong Go Puzzle.
A few days later, Qin Zheng and his group arrived at Leigu Mountain. Seeing the puzzle set out by Su Xinghe, Duan Yu was instantly entranced.
Stepping forward, he played against Su Xinghe for a time, then rose with an expression of deep admiration and bowed to him. "Mister's skill in Go is profound. Duan Yu readily concedes defeat!"
With deep regret, Su Xinghe looked at Duan Yu. He felt the youth was handsome, possessed Go skill exceeding his own, and was exceedingly courteous—a rare, prime prospect for the Xiaoyao Sect. Unfortunately, he ultimately fell short and did not meet his master's requirements.
After standing, Duan Yu said to Qin Zheng, "Hero Qin, would you like to try? I remember last year at Longmen Inn, you also set out an insolvable endgame puzzle for me."
Qin Zheng shook his head. "I've seen many life-and-death problems like this. If I played, it would be a bit like bullying."
Su Xinghe parted his lips, nearly unable to stop himself from speaking. But remembering he was posing as a deaf-mute, he forced himself to hold back.
Indignantly, he pointed at Qin Zheng, then at the board, beckoning Qin Zheng to come forward and play.
He wanted to see how the Zhenlong Go Puzzle—which his master had spent three years of exhausting thought to devise—could possibly be dismissed as common roadside trash!
Qin Zheng shook his head again. "This is a sixteen-stone 'taking off the boots' life-and-death problem. Similar endgame positions have existed since the Tang Dynasty. There's really nothing worth playing."
Beside himself with anger, Su Xinghe raised his palm to strike Qin Zheng.
Suddenly, Wuyazi's voice resonated from within the rock wall: "Xinghe, invite this fellow player inside for a talk!"
Qin Zheng strode over. With a single glance, he saw that the passage lay inside the wooden cabin before the cliff, and pushed the door open to walk inside.
Granny Chen gave Su Xinghe a deep, meaningful look and said, "Master Congbian, congratulations on keeping your life. But don't celebrate too soon. This Hero Qin of ours holds a terrible grudge. Even the midwife who smacked his backside when he was born was paid back once he grew up. Even though you didn't actually strike him, he'll still get his revenge on you..."
Su Xinghe's eyes went wide in shock. "Huh?!"
Granny Chen said with profound gravity, "Don't ask how I know. I was that midwife back then."
Su Xinghe: "..."
Who asked you?!
Chapter 53