Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan Volume 7 Chapter 9 part2

After seated properly, Susu sighed and said, "Are you guys angry that Jiejie married Yushan? I don't know why it happened but it did; even though I know that you don't like him, but his character is actually very good.”

Xu Ziling smiled and said, "Jiejie is oversensitive. At first we did not like him just because there was a bit misunderstanding, that's all! Afterwards we understood, the sky is already clear after the rain, and now we are happy that Jiejie has found a husband according to your wishes.”

Things have come to this, what else could he say?

He and Kou Zhong were different.

Kou Zhong did not like Xiang Yushan because he was unpleasant to the eye; but Xu Ziling did not have favorable impression toward him because he was too smooth and evasive worldly-wise.

Susu gloomily said, "Other than Yushan, Jiejie only has the two of you as my close relatives. But Jiejie knows that your aspiration is a thousand li away, and very soon you will leave me. Ay! Does it have to be like this? Why don't you stay and nurture your career here?”

How could Xu Ziling tell Susu that Kou Zhong's aspiration was to vie over the world and become the emperor? And that while he watched all these changes, his real hope was to roam the world like the wild crane in the clouds?

While he was at a loss on what to say, Susu went on, "Other than Li Mi and Dongming Pai, right now the number of people outside who want to get the ‘Duke Yang Treasure' from you is really beyond counting, but you don't give the least bit of thought to your own safety. Tell me, what should Jiejie do?”

Xu Ziling felt a big headache coming. Letting out a forced laugh, he said, "I am afraid the number of people who want to kill Ba Fenghan is no less than those who want to kill us, but isn't he still pretty much alive and well? Can't Jiejie not worry about us too much? Just assist your husband and educate the children [idiom] well, when we have spare time, we'd definitely come to visit you. Have you thought about your child's name?”

Immediately Susu's pretty eyes shone. She laughed and said, "Why don't you think for me? See if you can come up with a good name.”

And then as if she suddenly remembered something else, she lowered her voice and said, "Does Xiao Zhong really like Yun Bangzhu?”

Xu Ziling found it was getting harder and harder to tell Susu the truth, because the fact was that Kou Zhong was only toying with Yun Yuzhen's feeling, just like Yun Yuzhen used to toy with their emotions. You lied to me, I cheated on you, the one to emerge victor has yet to be seen.

Without any better option he replied vaguely, "I am not too clear about what happened between them.”

Susu knitted her beautiful eyebrows anxiously; she said, "Although Yun Bangzhu is very competent, she is not an honorable woman; she has a hopelessly muddled relationship with one of the Gongzi of the Dugu Clan, while she also has a secret affair with Hou Xibai. When you have a chance, go talk to Xiao Zhong! You are the only one he would listen to.”

While with his mouth Xu Ziling said yes, in his heart he could only smile bitterly. This sister of his had a very good intention, but her thought was just too naïve; she still thought Kou Zhong as a little child. While the real Kou Zhong in front of their eyes was not someone who could be pushed around by anyone, including Xu Ziling.

Meanwhile Kou Zhong pushed the door and came in. Seeing the two people inside, he immediately roared in laughter and said, "I thought Xiao Ling was still asleep, turns out he is already chatting with Su Jie who plays favorite. You are not talking about me, are you?”

Having a guilty conscience, Susu's pretty face blushed; she was somewhat at a loss to know what to do.

Kou Zhong was astounded, "You are talking about me!” he said.

Xu Ziling sneered, "What if we talked about you?” he said, "Su Jie is very concerned about you, she is afraid you might fall into some bad guys' trap.”

Kou Zhong immediately understood. Laughing involuntarily, he walked over to an empty chair and sat down. "Finally we, the three sister and brothers, meet again!” he said with a sigh.

With a slightly trembling voice Susu said, "Can you stay here for a few days longer? Just consider it Jiejie is beseeching you.”

Kou Zhong smiled wryly and said, "Tonight we are going by boat to Jiujiang. Supposing everything went well, we will be back in a few days.”

Susu was stunned, "What are you going to do at Jiujiang?” she asked, "Does Yushan know?”

Jiujiang was a strategic town at the confluence of Lake Poyang and Yangtze River. Currently it was under Lin Shihong's power. Going downstream from Baling, it could be reached within two days' time.

Naturally Xu Ziling was able to guess that Kou Zhong wanted to take the advantage while the salt goods was still on its way to accomplish the assassination mission of the unapproachable Ren Shaoming without making any noise.

If he could really kill Ren Shaoming and afterwards could escape safely, undoubtedly he would gain formidable renown to give him authority over the world.

And after gaining the reputation, naturally everything would go smoothly and easily [orig. what the heart wishes, the hand accomplishes].

Moreover, this way he could also crush Lin Shihong and Ren Shaoming's alliance in dominating the south. Kou Zhong indeed had ‘rigorous schemes and deep foresight'.

If the South really fell into Kou Zhong's hands, he would advance to Guanzhong and seize it, and then the various powers in the north could only clench their fists in envy.

Kou Zhong revealed a confident smile as he spoke softly, "At the end of the day I am doing this for Su Jie. Both Lin Shihong and Ren Shaoming could go to Jiujiang to formalize their alliance. If this matter is accomplished, their first order of business would be to forge ahead and take down Baling; therefore, this matter must be broken at the earliest possible time. It was Jiejie's fujun [lit. husband lord] who told me, he also made the arrangement for us. Do you think he is aware of it or not?”

Susu's countenance changed, "How could Yushan let you brave this danger?” she said, "No! I am going to talk to him.”

Xu Ziling pulled her tender lily-white hand, and said in all earnestness, "Jiejie please don't worry, what Xiao Zhong said is right; if we don't break Lin-Ren alliance earlier, the South will become a one-sided situation. Even the Song Clan who is far away south at Lingnan will be powerless to stand on their feet, let alone your Baling Bang.”

Xu Ziling very rarely parroted Kou Zhong. Although he knew that it was mainly for Susu's sake, Kou Zhong was still very happy, "Xiao Ling is right!” he said excitedly, "Su Jie! Trust us! After cutting of Ren Shaoming's stinky head, we will come back to accompany Jiejie for several days before heading north.”

Someone knocked the door. Xiang Yushan came in and said, "After breakfast, we will go to the Palace to see His Highness. Two Dage, what do you say?”

Under the escort of a dozen or so Xiang Yushan's personal guards, Kou Zhong, along with Yun Yuzhen, Xiang Yushan and Xu Ziling, divided into two rows, galloped their horses out of the General Mansion toward the Imperial Palace, which was originally the Zongguan Mansion that the Liang Dynasty's Emperor Xiao Xian rebuilt and refurbished.

Because Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were so eager to see Susu the previous day, plus it was already evening, they did not pay any attention to the city's scenery. It was only this morning that they found the city to be remarkable.

On the north, the city stood against the Yangtze River, on the west it bordered the large commercial hub of Dongting city. The scale was quite grand. The city was square-shaped, with the crossing main street as the central axis. The streets, alleys, and buildings were neat and orderly, most of the houses facing the street had covered veranda, which functioned as a shade in hot summer days and protection from rain during rainy season. Not only it provide convenience for the pedestrians, it also gave cozy and intimate feeling.

All houses had façade with decorative carved pattern, which showed that the residents were well off, everybody lived in peace and worked happily.

Because Baling Bang has always had close relationship with the Sui Dynasty, they enjoyed the domination over the county towns in the surrounding area. Xiao Xian himself was originally a local official, hence he enjoyed the support of the local rich families and members of the gentry.

Since Emperor Yang has died, it was only natural that Baling Bang took control over the local situation, while the county citizens were only too happy to celebrate; therefore, unlike the other gangs and societies who had to go through struggle and the fire of war, the county was able to preserve its strength, and has become the most advantageous condition for the Baling Bang's newly founded Liang Dynasty in their contend for hegemony over the world.

Currently there were six big powers in the South.

The one with the most flourishing prestige was Du Fuwei and Fu Gongyou's Jianghuai Army, which occupied Liyang and Danyang, two big strategic towns. But since for the time being they had to deal with the powers from the north, they had no time to expand southward.

Although Li Zitong occupied Jiangdu, but since Emperor Yang and the Sui Army made a mess of things, their strength suffered a huge setback, so that they appeared strong, but in reality was quite weak.

Shen Faxing's Jiangnan Army was at the Southeast, but since the northwest route was blocked by Li Zitong and Du Fuwei, and the south was prominently under Guangdong's Song Clan's control, it was difficult for him to make any move.

Therefore, the conflict in the South has become the stage for the two big powers, Lin Shihong and Xiao Xian, who refused to concede to each other. Presently the balance of power was leaning toward Lin Shihong, simply because he had Tieqi Hui's help. From this, it was clear that the ‘Green Dragon' Ren Shaoming was a crucial factor in the southern arena.

Kou Zhong was able to see through this, hence he came to Song Yuzhi to strike a deal.

If it were any other condition, the Song Clan would not be interested.

This moment everybody was riding along a span of street lined with two-story buildings on both sides. Xu Ziling looked up to enjoy the richly ornamented, carved with fancy patterns, windows and eaves. While the bustling atmosphere of the city gave him an unspeakable feeling, there was another extremely familiar sensation that suddenly bubbled up in his heart.

The same sensation that he felt just before the ‘Shadow Assassin' Yang Xuyan mounted a sneak attack.

That instant he knew that Yang Xuyan has arrived.

Chapter end