Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan Volume 10 Chapter 9 part1

Book 10 Chapter 9 - Enemies On A Narrow Road

Xiangyang was located at the confluence of various rivers by the Han River. Following the River downstream, in one day one would reach a Hannan, a market town rather smaller in scale, and then in two more days one would reach Jingling.

Since Yang Guang was assassinated by Yuwen Huaji's uprising, sharp changes have been happening in all parts of the country. The original hegemons proclaimed themselves king or emperor, taking advantage of the situation to expand their territory. Those who were former Sui officials adopted a wait-and-see attitude or unmasked their poles to rise up, becoming local power, safeguarding their own towns and villages, their homeland.

Xiangyang's Qian Duguan was a classic example.

‘Double Sabers' Qian Duguan was the big boss of Hanshui Pai [River Han Sect], his character was in between orthodox and heretical, he had quite a ‘face' both in front of the local black and white circles. His main business was silk, and his family owned ample properties.

When the news of Emperor Yang's death arrived, Qian Duguan arose with the people's support. He was elected leader by local wealthy families and members of the gentry, as well as by the local gangs and societies. Driving out the Xiangyang's district magistrate, he formed large militia and seized the power.

Although Qian Duguan himself knew he did not have enough power to contend for hegemony of the world, yet in this time of ‘rising wind and rolling clouds', the world was in chaos, he was able to maintain Xiangyang's autonomy without any need to look up to anybody else's face. During the time where Li Mi, Du Fuwei, Li Zitong, and the other major powers were standing in opposition to each other, he was still able to strike water right and left, so much so that his business was flourishing, his trading brisk, majestic as if he was the local king.

By dusk, Shang Xiuxun and her party rushed into Xiangyang just before the city gate was shut; after paying glistening-yellow gold entry duty at the gate, they entered the city.

Xiangyang's city wall was tall and thick. The wall was equipped with arrow-platforms and watchtowers, as well as bell towers and drum towers opposite to each other, giving up an air of grandeur, so that before even entering the city, they already had deep impression.

Upon stepping into the city, everybody entered the main street connecting the north and south city gates. Since it was already early evening, the lanterns were lit. Over the street were layer upon layer of towering arches and sky bridges connecting the unending row of store buildings from one side of the street to the other. The long street was simple and unadorned, with row upon row of residence buildings. Pedestrians and carriages traveled back and forth on the street, a picture of lively city in time of peace and security, making people forgot the fire beacon and dangerous situation on the outside.

From time to time, a group of three to five armed men in blue warrior outfit passed by, with overbearing attitude, hence it was clear that they were Qin Duguan's men. They almost did not see any young women on the street; occasionally they saw a few out-of-towners, but they were all scurrying along with heads hung low.

Xu Yang, Luo Fang, and the others have been waiting for them in the city for quite a long time. Luo Fang has even prepared some rooms at a rather upscale hotel. After settling down, Kou and Xu, two boys remained in their room, waiting for Shang Xiuxun's further instruction.

Kou Zhong laughed quietly and said, "Luckily just now we were sitting down, plus we are wearing stable hands' attire. Otherwise, with our builds, we might be recognized by Ling Feng and Jin Bo, those two muddled-eggs.” [I know the official translation is ‘', but I think ‘muddled-egg' is funnier.]

Xu Ziling crossly said, "Are you a narcissistic freak? One day without praising yourself makes you feel uncomfortable?”

Kou Zhong giggled and said, "Everything's good! I was just lightening up the atmosphere. Ay! This time we are going to Jingling, just thinking about Wanwan made my heart as heavy as lead; I feel so upset that I wanted to cry. Not to mention there is also the Ol' Die to be dealt with!”

Xu Ziling sat on the bed with blank expression on his face. It was quite a while later that he said, "So finally you decide to stand head-to-head with the Ol' Die? How do you feel?”

Kou Zhong dejectedly sat down on a chair by the door; the corner of his mouth revealed a hint of bitter smile as he said, "I only know that this time he will be unwilling to let me off. But if I have a chance, I still want to let him off one more time, to make it even, nobody owes the other anything.”

Xu Ziling nodded and said, "Now that's a good man; outstanding!”

Kou Zhong sighed and said, "But this time don't expect any chance to do a good man's deed. Whether it will be a one-on-one fight or we meet in the battlefield; we are still a notch below him. Jianghuai Army is a matchless powerful army; it can't be compared to the Four Big Bandits' mob army.”

Xu Ziling muttered hesitantly, "Beautiful Shifu is sending Liu Zongdao back to the Ranch; what exactly is her plan?”

Kou Zhong laughed and said, "Once Xu yaodao [demon Taoist] pinches his fingers to calculate, won't he know everything?”

Smiling, Xu Ziling said, "Just go to your granny; as soon as you have a chance you framed me.”

While Kou Zhong was roaring in laughter, Luo Fang knocked on their door and entered, "We have a reservation at Jia Xiang Lou [House of Fragrance] the biggest restaurant around here for two banquet tables on the second floor. Come with me!”

The two boys were greatly astonished; they did not expect that under the circumstances, Shang Xiuxun still did not forget to show of extravagance.

※ ※ ※

The House of Fragrance had three floors, bottom, middle and top. The third floor was exclusively for distinguished guests. Unless frequent visitors and local celebrities, practically nobody else would be able to make any reservation.

Flying Horse Ranch were outsiders, so they could only reserve tables on the first and second floor, plus Xu Yang still had to bribe the proprietor that he gained a ‘face' and thus was able to make this arrangement.

Not only Shang Xiuxun was wearing men's clothing, she also darkened her face a little, and stuck two pieces of slanted moustache, giving the impression of a Confucian scholar. Although her overall appearance was rather comical, it was better than showing off her beauty, which was capable of causing the downfall of a city.

Looking at her outlandish look, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling nearly split their sides laughing, but struggled really hard not to.

The crazy thing was: Shang Xiuxun did not consider them being disobedient; she simply smiled slightly, and proceeded to take the lead together with Liang Zhi.

Once the group was assembled, they walked down the street.

Shang Peng, Shang He, two old men, were tasked with guarding the rear.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling understood that more and more people recognized them; without much choice they pulled their servant's hat low, covering their foreheads down to their eyebrows. They also deliberately hunched their backs that walking has become quite an ordeal.

Luo Fang, who was walking beside them, asked in bewilderment, "How come you become so sneaky all of a sudden?”

Avoiding a group of people walking straight toward them, Kou Zhong put on a fierce-looking Jianghu thugs and replied in a low, serious tone, "Even Changzhu has to put on an act; we as subordinates also have to conceal our true identity, right?”

Suddenly there was a commotion to their left; pedestrians scattered everywhere. To their surprise, there were two gangs of more than a dozen men each were involved in street brawl; they chased each other along the street, sabers and swords flew everywhere.

Luo Fang's mind was divided; he quickly pulled the two boys aside.

With her hands behind her back, Shang Xiuxun stood boldly, as if she was interested in watching the fierce battle where flesh and blood splashing everywhere.

Puzzled, Kou Zhong turned to Luo Fang and Xu Ziling and said, "Did you see that? Aren't those Qian Duguan's subordinates, the Xiang Han Pai disciples? Why are they watching with folded arms and not try to interfere?”

Xu Ziling turned around and sure enough, he saw a group of seven, eight men wearing blue warrior outfits, mingled among the crowd watching the bustling scene. Not only they acted as spectators, they even continuously gesticulated excitedly that their spittle splattered flew around.

Luo Fang was not surprised; he said, "This is Qian Duguan's rule; as long as it does not harm his interest, he adopts neutral position to all fights and vendettas among the Jianghu people. Besides, even if he wanted to interfere, there is really not much that he could do.”

Kou Zhong was speechless. "Is there still law and order?” he asked.

Smiling wryly, Xu Ziling replied, "Law and order have long gone.”

Kou Zhong's eyes flashed sharply, but he no longer spoke.

Meanwhile, victory and defeat would be decided soon. The beaten group left behind several dead bodies as they ran toward a side alley.

The Xiang Han Pai warriors in blue outfits swarmed around to drag the dead bodies away. In the blink of an eye the street returned to its former lively condition, so that it was hard for others to believe that something has just happened here.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were aghast, but Luo Fang remained calm, as if nothing had happened.

After crossing an intersection, they could see the House of Fragrance' big signboard in the distance, while from across the street they heard the sound of bamboo flute and string ensemble, mixed with the sound of finger-guessing game, gambling and drinking.

Turning his head around, Kou Zhong saw a pleasure house. The entrance was packed with people; it was unusually busy.

Four or five rough-looking bodyguards were stopping the guests coming into the brothel; perhaps they wanted to check whether the guests had enough money in their purse.

Kou Zhong could not help stopping to watch. While he was thinking about his and Xu Ziling's own adventure, that each time they visited a brothel, the result has always been a disaster, he could not help laughing inwardly, three people bumped into him.

He did not dare to reveal his martial art skill, hence using ordinary people's step he simply moved aside. Right this moment, one of them reached out to grope his pocket.

Inwardly Kou Zhong was delighted, thinking that you dare to fully use your magic hand to me, an expert in stealing away other people's silver pouch, it was just like brandishing a large hatchet in front of Lu Ban [legendary master craftsman, called the father of Chinese carpentry]. Thereupon he unleashed his Severing-arteries Skill he learned from Tu Shufang, the chief manager of Zhai Rang's household. In one grab he already caught the opponent's wrist.

The man was about to struggle, Kou Zhong sent a stream of true qi into his wrist; immediately his entire body went numb.

When the other two men saw what happened, they scurried away in panic.

"You are hurting me!”

Kou Zhong looked closer; turned out the perpetrator was a sixteen, seventeen years old boy with rather delicate features; he did not look like a bandit at all.

Chapter end