Book 13 Chapter 4 - Stealing Openly Robbing Stealthily
Because it was noon, the lower level of Dongjia Restaurant was packed; it was so crowded that it was impossible to even squeeze a needle through it.
Kou Zhong was back to the same old stuff; he whispered Lang Feng's name in the waiter's ear. The waiter immediately became reverent and respectful, as he led them to a comfortable lounge on the wing of the third floor of the restaurant.
Kou Zhong sat down by the window. Looking at the boats coming and going along the Luo River below, he sighed and said, "This is the benefit of having power; just by touching the edge a little bit, we can be a cut above others.”
Ba Fenghan laughed and said, "No matter how noble and virtuous you are calling yourself, you cannot deny that those so-called noble and virtuous must have powerful support behind their back; otherwise, how could they be noble and virtuous?”
Seeing Xu Ziling was staring at him in displeasure, Kou Zhong quickly surrendered. "I was just taking advantage of the little convenience power can bring,” he said, "I will never bully other people, or make an attempt to take away the justice that power brings. Ha!”
Ba Fenghan laughed and said, "Comparatively speaking, Zhong Shao and I are somewhat boorish, unlike Ziling who is suave and aloof.”
Xu Ziling smiled wryly without saying anything.
Kou Zhong's spirit greatly aroused, he said, "Now the struggle between Wang Shichong and Yang Dong has reached stalemate, we can set it aside for the time being. Hey! As for the Jade Annulus of He Clan, ha! Ziling, you've got to help me.”
"Why did you ask Ziling only?” Ba Fenghan wondered, "Why not me?”
Stunned, Kou Zhong replied, "Ol' Ba, you have nothing to do with this matter, why would you gamble your life away with me? It is precisely because I consider you my brother that I do not wish to implicate you. Aren't your own trouble still too much?”
Xu Ziling also looked at Ba Fenghan in consternation.
Whether it was Ning Daoqi or Shi Feixuan, both were formidable opponent that no one would dare to provoke. If Kou Zhong were not in such a critical juncture between success and failure, he would not have even dreamed of offending them.
But now he simply had no choice.
Ba Fenghan was speechless for half a day. After sweeping the two boys with his gaze, his sharp eyes gleamed with some kind unusual emotion, as he spoke slowly, "It's because I love to hang out with you, two kids. Moreover, the more I hang out with you, the more I feel the excitement, satisfying my interest; all because we share similar background and childhood years. The ones I hated the most are those people from respectable schools and big clans. I loathe those Jianghu school and sect people who think of themselves as supreme beings even more. Therefore, I helped you dealing with Changshu Mou the other day. I just can't stand that kind of people, who believe themselves infallible, with their condescending, overbearing attitude.”
A short pause, and then he continued, "The ones I admired the most are true hero who, not having anything at all, bring about epoch achievement. Supposing Li Shimin and you two were in each other's shoes, would he be able to obtain your achievements? I just cannot stand by idly and watch this kind of thing. Ha! Challenging Ning Daoqi or perhaps Shi Feixuan would be the thing I want to do. How could I, Ba Fenghan, miss this kind of golden opportunity?”
Greatly delighted, Kou Zhong said, "With Ba Xiong's assistance, we, two brothers, are like a tiger that has grown wings.”
With a wry smile Xu Ziling said, "I always have a nagging feeling that something isn't right. When all is said and done, Shi Feixuan is simply striving for the benefit of the people under the heavens …”
Ba Fenghan coldly interrupted him, "Ziling is too obstinate. Only by asking those few questions, how could she decide whether certain person would make a good emperor? Furthermore, I always feel that only someone with poverty-stricken background would be qualified to be a good emperor. Those who understand the people's pain and difficulties very well would have the zeal to get rid of the people's pain and difficulties.”
Kou Zhong slapped the table and shouted with praised, "Han Shao said it well. Emperor Qin and Emperor Gaozu of Han are a good example. The former was born of aristocracy, the latter was born of common people [lit. plain cotton clothing]. Which one was the good emperor, is an indisputable historical fact. Ha!”
Staring at him in displeasure, Xu Ziling said, "So you are sure you will be a good emperor?”
"What do you think?” Kou Zhong asked in return.
Xu Ziling was left speechless.
His eyes shone, Kou Zhong said, "I have come to the point that even if I know perfectly well that I am going to throw away my life, I simply cannot turn around. To vie over the world, one must be completely unscrupulous. Just like Han Shao said, even if Tianhuang Laozi [the old emperor of heaven], Taishang Laojun [title of respect for Lao-tze, the founder of Taoism], Rulai Fozu [Tathagata Buddha] are standing on the road, I must kick them out of my way. The Jade Annulus of the He Clan, we simply must obtain. Otherwise, if it fell into Li kid's hand, it would be tantamount to forcing him to rebel against his old Die and his older brother.”
"It would be best if Shi Feixuan already gave the Jade Annulus of the He Clan to Li Shimin,” Ba Fenghan said, "Snatching it away would be a bit easier.”
His gaze fixed on Xu Ziling, Kou Zhong said, "Are you or are you not willing to help me? Don't forget. Hee! One lifetime two brothers!”
Other than smiling ruefully, what else could Xu Ziling do?
Ba Fenghan said, "Now we must investigate clearly whether the Jade Annulus of the He Clan is in Li Shimin's hand or not before making our move.”
"That is extremely simple,” Kou Zhong said, "If Li Shimin obtained the Jade Annulus of the He Clan, he would immediately depart Luoyang in secret. Therefore, as long as we closely watch his movements, we would obtain our clues.”
Ba Fenghan's eyes shone with cold rays. He said, "I heard that Li Shimin has obtained the teachings handed-down by Li Yuan himself, so he really know a thing or two, plus the capable people working under him are numerous. If we cut him off along the way, we would lose our advantage. Therefore, stealing will be the better strategy, robbing openly would not be an effective strategy.”
Heaving a sigh of relief, Xu Ziling added, "If we do not need to rob the jade annulus from Shi Feixuan's hand, we still have the hope to succeed.”
Kou Zhong wrapped his arm around Xu Ziling's shoulder and pulled him closer as he spoke in great delight, "Ling Shao, what you said has given me much comfort. In my opinion, there is 90% chance that Shi Feixuan would favor Li Shimin. This guy's outward appearance easily beat the long-haired-like-a-ghost Li Mi, or perhaps the wily-old-fox Wang Shichong. Too bad I have not stuck out my head, so that that Li kid is under no threat of competition at all.”
Bursting out laughing, Ba Fenghan said, "Speaking of tooting his own horn, nobody in the world can come close to you. All right! Enough chitchat. Leave the duty of watching Li Shimin closely to me. He has some connection with Dong Ming Pai, we'll meet again tonight between the you [10th earthly branch, 5-7pm] and xu [11th earthly branch, 7-9pm] hours, and then we'll decide what to do next.”
This moment the waiter arrived with food and drink. Ba Fenghan took a steamed bun and left without saying anything.