Book 13 Chapter 2 - The Path of the Ruler
Kou Zhong focused his attention to look; he could not help thinking that like a father like a child.
This man was at least seventy-percent similar to Dugu Ce, only he appeared to be a few years older, but still outstandingly handsome, plus he had the magnificent bearing that Dugu Ce lacked. Therefore, anybody would be able to guess that he was the leader of the Dugu Clan, Dugu Feng.
He was the kind of person that as soon as one took a glance on him, one would know that he was a very ambitious person, someone who would not have any scruple in killing others.
Although he was wearing a smile on his face, there was a murderous air around him. He was of medium height, but there was an obvious lofty quality of extraordinary capability. Not only that, he also carried a straightforward and powerful manner, which displayed his strong confidence in himself.
This moment his pair of eyes, his eagle-beak nose and the firm and persistent corner of his mouth exuded a distinct and contrasting sharp expression, as his gaze moved from Wang Shichong to Kou Zhong. Kou Zong felt his face was burning, so that he knew that Dugu Feng was worthy to be the leader of the Dugu Clan. His power was not inferior to Du Fuwei, Li Mi and those martial art masters of the same caliber.
Everybody halted their horses. The vanguard at the front understood their role; they separated to both sides of the road, so that their master could have a dialogue with the opposite party without any barrier.
Wang Shichong laughed aloud and said, "Dugu Zongguan's [reminder: chief manager] words are too heavy. In the past few days there has been sighing wind and calling crane; I heard that not a few people wanted to take the head above my, Wang Shichong's neck. I, Wang Shichong, have always been greedy for life, afraid of death; therefore, going in and out the Capital I must have men protecting me, hence the reason I brought a few more men; how could I date to commit the crime of ‘the troops pressing on toward the Palace City'? I earnestly hope Feng Xiong would not block the Palace gate, and let me in to have an audience with Huang Taizhu [grand master the emperor] to make a report on military situation; otherwise, the Ol' Wang would suspect that Feng Xiong already instigated mutiny and is holding Huang Taizhu under duress, and thus forcing me to direct the troops to besiege the City. If that happened, no one would have any benefit!”
It was only that Kou Zhong realized how formidable Wang Shichong really was. Those words of his did not have any hole at all, so that nobody would be able to ward it off.
But Dugu Feng was not a lay practitioner of Buddhism either. Just by the fact that he was guarding the Palace gate alone was a clear display of his unfathomable scheme, which was equivalent to seeing one spot on the leopard.
Sure enough, Dugu Feng calmly took a step forward, smiled in a relaxed and easy manner, and said, "Shichong Xiong's desire to lay on guilt is really formidable, how could Dugu Feng take it upon myself? The most ridiculous thing is that I, Dugu Feng, am earnest and sincere, yet I saw Shangshu Daren withdrew your troops and returned to the imperial court, so I came out specifically to welcome you; who would have thought that I was misunderstood by Zhengguo Gong [Duke of Zheng State]?”
In just one sentence he had used three different appellations, from ‘Shichong Xiong' to ‘Shangshu Daren' to ‘Zhengguo Gong'; naturally it was without the slightest bit of sincerity, but with some kind of attitude that was difficult to guess, mixed with frigid irony and scorching satire, without any implication that he had any regard toward Wang Shichong.
Laughing involuntarily, Kou Zhong said, "Since you have come to welcome us, why did previously Dugu Zongguan did not say that Shangshu Daren withdrew his troops to return to the imperial court, but said that we brought the troops pressing on toward the imperial city? Are you correcting yourself now?”
Casting a contemptuous glance toward Kou Zhong, he laughed grimly without moving a single muscle on his face and said, "This young boy is very brazen; I wonder since when did he become Shangshu Daren's spokeperson?”
But Wang Shichong was no less formidable; remaining tranquil and calm, he said, "I have not introduced this gentleman, Mr. Kou Zhong, whom I hired back with a lot of gold and gift. In my, Wang Shichong's absence, he is in charge of Luoyang's affairs. Later on it will be more appropriate if you get to know each other better!”
This time, even Lang Feng and the other people from Wang Shichong's side were shaken; they did not expect Wang Shichong to show such a high regard toward Kou Zhong.
Dugu Feng was stunned for half a day, before finally saying, "Although Shangshu Daren has the right to pick any worthy person to assume responsibility, but such an important position, you must …”
Wang Shichong cut him off, "This is precisely one of the reasons this officer wants to have audience with Huang Taizhu. Will Dugu Zongguan insist on blocking the Palace gate?”
Dugu Feng laughed aloud and said, "How can I? How can I? Shangshu Daren, please!”
Unexpectedly he really withdrew to the side of the gate, and then with an exaggerated gesture he invited them to enter the gate.
Wang Shichong and Kou Zhong looked at each other in consternation; momentarily they did not know how to react.
The deep gate looked as if it would devour anybody who dared to enter into a bottomless hole.
※ ※ ※
After taking his leave from Liu Heita, Xu Ziling looked for a wine shop nearby, and ordered a pot of wine. After pouring himself a drink or two, tipsy feeling started to assault him, making him feeling like he wanted to have a good cry.
He has never been good with wine; although he was accustomed to be affected by Kou Zhong's keen interest, but he really was an amateur in this regard.
But now he wanted to drink until he passed out, so that he could forget the cruelty of the real situation, which he could not change anyway.
Liu Heita's pointing out that Xiao Xian was human trafficker has bored into his heart.
And now the matter between Susu and Xiang Yushan was like the rice that has already been cooked, plus a child was on his way; even if he killed Xiang Yushan, he would not help Susu the least bit.
Ay!
Xu Ziling poured another cup of wine down his throat before cradling his head on his arms on the table; he wanted to cry, but there were no tears.
This moment, only two of the tables in the restaurant were occupied, plus he deliberately chose a table near the corner, because he did not wish to attract undue attention from anybody else.
Come to think about if, all these misfortunes befell on Susu were brought by Li Jing's heartless and lack of friendship.
Which part of Su Jie was not good? Yet he insisted on changing his affection, shifting his love.
Sound of footsteps approached.
Hearing the footsteps, immediately Xu Ziling remembered Li Shimin's dragon gait and tiger steps; startled, he quickly looked up.
He saw a man wearing bamboo hat with a veil hanging down to shield the wearer from the sun. The man wore nondescript grey clothes. He was walking straight toward Xu Ziling. His steps were nimble yet powerful, carrying with him a wave of suffocating momentum, extremely intimidating.
Composing himself, Xu Ziling spoke in heavy voice, "Qin Wang [king of Qin], please sit down.”
The man was slightly taken aback; he stared blankly first before taking the seat across the table. Taking off his bamboo hat, he revealed a heroic and grand face. Greatly astonished, he said, "Xu Xiong was able to see my face behind the veil?”
Raising his hand, he called the waiter, "Bring more wine!”
Xu Ziling met his sharp gaze, the gaze that could penetrate the deepest secret in anybody's heart. He spoke indifferently, "I merely recognized Shimin Xiong's footsteps!”
Wine cup and wine pot arrived. Li Shimin poured some for Xu Ziling first before filling up his cup to the brim. He sighed and said, "Not only Xu Xiong has a pair of sharp ears, your memory is also astonishing.”
And then, toasting Xu Ziling, he said with a laugh, "This cup is for meeting Xu Xiong again after a long period of separation.”
Xu Ziling's eyes were fixed on the clear wine inside the cup; reaching out, his finger lightly flicked on the rim of the cup, creating a crisp ringing noise. "Did Li Jing ask Shimin Xiong to come to me?” he said slowly.
Li Shimin smiled. Putting down his cup, he said gently, "Xu Xiong misunderstood your Li Dage!”
Xu Ziling spoke apathetically, "If Shimin Xiong is here to talk on behalf of Li Jing, then let us stop at this point.”