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Confused, Xu Ziling sat down by his side and asked, “What changed?”

Duan Zhixuan replied, “Originally Qin Wang decided that if Ke Dazhi challenged our Heavenly Policy Mansion, he would have Mo Laoshi to undertake the task to deal with him. But now he cancelled this plan; Mo Laoshi does not need to make your move tonight.”

Xu Ziling was a bit baffled. Bu Ting explained, “Mo Laoshi must not misunderstand; it’s just because the Heavenly Policy Mansion has a martial art master from the outside that had just rushed back, so another arrangement has been made.”

Xu Ziling immediately thought that Li Jing and Hong Funu must have returned; only he did not know which one received the order to deal with Ke Dazhi’s challenge. Seizing this opportunity, he said, “Naturally Biren will listen and obey Gongzi’s instruction. Since that is the case, shall Biren not going to attend the Lunar New Year’s Eve celebration at the Imperial Court tonight?”

Duan Zhixuan apologetically said, “But Qin Wang specifically instructed that Mo Laoshi must attend, so that you could observe from the side Ke Dazhi’s Sandstorm Saber Technique.”

Xu Ziling sighed inwardly. Left with no choice, he had to agree.

Duan Zhixuan rose up and said, “It’s almost time! We need to stop by Heavenly Policy Mansion first, and then we’ll go to the banquet together with Qin Wang.”

※ ※ ※

Steam was rising.

With one hand holding on the edge of the huge barrel that was half full of hot water, with the other hand Kou Zhong tested the water temperature inside the barrel. Smiling, he said, “Xiaodi is going to take a bath. Are you, Beauty, going to watch from the side?”

Hiding inside the bedroom, Wanwan laughed tenderly and said, “Don’t make a racket, I want to sleep!”

Raising his eyebrows, Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, “In that case, be my guest!”

He simply took off all his clothes and went in to sit inside the barrel to bathe; he even hummed a lighthearted tune.

Like a ghost Wanwan floated out of the bedroom. She could not help laughing as she said, “Your singing voice is really hard on the ears. Is it a popular folksong [orig. Xiaodao, a Chinese folk song genre] from Yangzhou? You need to be careful, lest you reveal the cloven foot in here.”

Kou Zhong shivered inwardly. It was indeed a folksong that he eavesdropped from a prostitute when he was little at Yangzhou. But he still did not forget that Wanwan was taking advantage of looking at his naked body. Submerging his body into the barrel, he said with a frown, “It’s indecent that you are looking at me. I am most afraid that you would fall in love with my formidable male body, and cannot extricate yourself. And then Xiaodi will have a headache.”

Wanwan came to the barrel, which height reached the pit of her stomach. Looking at him, ‘Pfft!’ she broke into tender laughter and said, “I have never seen a manly man swinging and twisting like you; a gentleman must be magnanimous! I am already unable to extricate myself from you, there is no need to wait until this moment.”

Covering his private part with bath cloth, Kou Zhong smiled wryly and said, “Don’t tease me! The one you are unable to extricate yourself from is Ling Shao, not Xiaodi at all. If you don’t move away a little, I am going to drag you into the barrel to have a bath together with me like a pair of mandarin ducks [fig. affectionate couple]. Don’t blame me for not warning you.”

Laughing indifferently, Wanwan said, “The time that I spent thinking about you is as much as the time I spent thinking about Ziling. You can say whatever you like! Ay! But you, this kid, are astute in big things, but careless and confused in little things. Do you know how I found out that Mo Shen Yi is you, Kou Shao Shuai?”

Stunned, Kou Zhong asked, “Where did I show the flaw?”

Wanwan was about to speak. Suddenly she showed an alert expression, and spoke in low voice, “Someone’s coming!”

Finished speaking, she disappeared into the bedroom like a wisp of smoke.

Compared to her, Kou Zhong was a split second late in hearing the approaching footsteps; inwardly he knew that in this aspect he was still a hair inferior to her.

And then he heard Chang He’s voice calling out from outside the door, “Xiaodi and Mei Xiong are here to accompany Mo Xiong into the Palace.”

Before Kou Zhong had any chance to mutter that he was taking a bath, Mei Xun already pushed the door and entered in, and said with a laugh, “Huh? Turns out Mo Xiansheng is ... ha! Please forgive our offense in disturbing you.”

Unexpectedly he simply pushed the door and entered without any trace of politeness.

Kou Zhong was startled and angered at the same time. Fortunately because of Wanwan, he did not take off his mask; otherwise this time his original identity would be fully revealed. However, he who comes is surely ill-intentioned, no-one well-meaning will come [idiom]; Mei Xun definitely was still suspicious toward him, therefore, he especially come to visit to verify the fact, to look for any flaw in him.

Seeing Kou Zhong’s robust male body in the bath, Chang He was greatly apologetic for inconveniencing him; he rebuked Mei Xun, “Hey! Xiaodi said we are going to wait in the main hall for Mo Xiong!”

Mei Xun was scrutinizing Kou Zhong with his sharp gaze; if he was hurrying in putting on his mask, or perhaps he was putting on disguise on his face, it would be strange indeed if he did not show any flaw.

Although inwardly Kou Zhong was dying to jump out of the barrel to pinch Mei Xun to the death, on the surface he had no choice but to put on happy and pleased expression, as he said, “Never mind that. Mei Xiong is giving Xiaoren such a face, the honor indeed belongs to Xiaoren.”

He mused in his heart that if Mei Xun saw his perfect physique, then he, Kou Zhong, would have nothing to hide anymore.

Mei Xun’s eyes looked around everywhere, but his mouth casually said, “Xiaodi felt familiarity at first sight with Mo Xiansheng, hence when I came across Chang Jiangjun on the street, knowing that he was going to the Palace together with Mo Xiansheng, I decided to join in the fun and come with him here.”

Finally his eyes fell on Kou Zhong’s Moon in the Well hanging on the wall. His pair of handsome eyes immediately brightened several times over. Slyly walking over toward the hanging saber, he said, “Turns out Mo Xiansheng is an expert in using saber. With Mo Xiansheng’s good taste, this saber must be an extraordinary article; I wonder if you’ll let Xiaodi broaden my horizons.”

Inside the barrel, Kou Zhong’s entire body immediately emitted hot sweats; his soul flew away and scattered.

Although the scabbard and the hilt were heavily wrapped in oilcloth, so that the outside appearance looked shabby, but the real content was difficult to hide, especially since this was the unique treasured saber with which his name shook the land under heaven.

Chang He’s brows were greatly knitted, knowing that Mei Xun’s suspicions toward Kou Zhong had not been satisfied, hence he came with the specific purpose in mind to investigate Kou Zhong’s foundation. But Chang He knew that he could not do anything about it. Mei Xun was this presumptuous, naturally because there was the King of Qi, Yuanji, supporting him behind his back.

Kou Zhong felt like he was a convict waiting for the execution. His scalp went numb, he watched helplessly at Mei Xun fetching the Moon in the Well from the wall. Momentarily he completely lost his mind.

‘Qiang!’

Without waiting for Kou Zhong’s permission, Mei Xun pulled the saber out of its scabbard.

※ ※ ※

This was the second time Xu Ziling went to Yeting Palace. In the palace complex itself, actually there was not a single palace hall called the Heavenly Policy Mansion. It was just because Li Shimin had rendered meritorious service that he was bestowed the title ‘Tian Ce Shang Jiang’ [lit. heavenly policy (or plan/scheme) upper/top general (admiral/marshal ... you get the idea)]. Thereupon the Cheng Qian Palace Hall, which was the seat of his administration, was called the Heavenly Policy Mansion.

The Heavenly Policy Mansion itself was arranged like an ordinary rich and influential family’s hall, yet it was real and unpretentious. The main seat was at the northern end of the hall; to its left and right were eighteen chairs. Behind the main seat was two large banners crossing each other. One was the Great Tang’s flag, the other was Li Shimin’s ‘Tian Ce Shang Jiang’ command banner.

The east and west, two walls, were covered in strange weapons and unusual devices of all shapes and sizes both from the Central Plains and from abroad, creating some kind of horses-galloping-over-the-battleground imagery, mighty and terrifying grandeur, which left profound impression in Xu Ziling’s heart.

By the time Xu Ziling, following Duan Zhixuan and the others, entered the Heavenly Policy Mansion, Li Shimin was already sitting on the north seat, chatting with various generals of the Heavenly Policy Mansion. His appearance was poised and at ease.

Occupying the chief seat on Li Shimin’s right was Du Ruhui, followed by Hou Junji, Chai Shao, Luo Shixin, Shi Wanbao, Liu Dewei, Pang Yu, and several civil and military officials whom Xu Ziling did not recognize.

On the chief seat to the left was surprisingly Li Jing, and then Hong Funu, Li Shiji – Shen Luoyan’s husband who was bestowed the family name Li, Zhangsun Wuji, Yuchi Jing De, and so on. But he did not see Shen Luoyan.

As they entered, everybody’s eyes were cast on them. Li Jing’s tiger-body slightly trembled; he immediately recognized Xu Ziling. It was only then did Xu Ziling remember that in Luoyang, he has had this ‘Scar-faced Guest’ mask on when he saw Li Jing. But this moment it was already too late for regrets.

Evidently Li Shimin thought very highly of this ‘Mo Wei’ character; unexpectedly he stood up to personally greet and welcome him. Because of him, the Bu Family brothers also enjoyed the glory.

After some polite greetings and chitchats, Bu Jie, Bu Ting, and Xu Ziling were seated on the empty seats at the end of Li Jing’s row. Because the last seat was the seat that Duan Zhixuan was striving for, inwardly Bu Jie and Bu Ting also felt honored.

After serving tea to everybody, Li Shimin suddenly shook his head and said with a sigh, “This afternoon Fu Huang urgently summoned Taizi Dianxia, Qi Wang and this king to have an audience with him. In front of us he ordered the Ministry of Works to, after the Spring Festival, immediately start the work of sealing all the gateways connecting the Yeting, East Palace, and Taiji Palace. What do you think abut this matter?”

After he finished saying these words, the entire Heavenly Policy Mansion immediately fell silent that the crow and peacock made no sound. Everybody you looked at me I gaze at you, but nobody dared to speak even half a word.

This matter concerned Li Yuan; who would dare to speak careless words?

Of everybody present, only Xu Ziling grasped the deep meaning behind Li Shimin’s remark.

A moment ago, at Yu He An, he had put Shi Zhixuan and Zhao Deyan, two major demonic persons, via Ke Dazhi and Yang WenGan, exploiting Jiancheng, Yuanji – plotting against him, on the tray, which had touched Li Shimin greatly.

Li Shimin was the kind of person who did big things. He had led many years of career in military campaign, so that he understood completely that the victors would become the king, while the losers would become the bandits, that in the life and death battle to determine victory, there must be no place for excessive tendency to clemency [idiom: soft-hearted].

His intention to kill Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong in Luoyang precisely represented this aspect, that once he saw the goal clearly, he would be hard-hearted and would not rest until his target was achieved.

This was the prerequisite of every successful commander-in-chief. Otherwise he would be eliminated.

Kou Zhong also had this kind of character and traits.

By now, Li Shimin’s heart toward Jiancheng, Yuanji, two men, had already died, because this war was no longer limited to internal strife within the imperial court, but it involved the common people of the world, even the outside tribes and the demonic school.

But Li Shimin still shared Li Yuan’s vision and fantasy for the future; particularly Li Yuan suddenly sealing the passageways from the east and west, two palaces – leading to the Taiji Palace in the middle, has ignited his hope. Hence the reason he was making this remark.

On one hand, he wanted to hear the crowd’s opinion, but more importantly, he wanted to test everybody’s reaction.

After a spell of unnatural silence, Li Shiji, who changed his surname from Xu to Li, cleared his throat and said, “Could this be a warning from Huangshang?”

Inwardly Xu Ziling was greatly astonished. He never thought that the first to respond would be Li Shiji, who had just joined the Heavenly Policy Mansion. But then he immediately understood.

Li Shiji was really a formidable chess piece that Li Shimin was using to deal with Li Mi and Li Jiancheng. After Li Mi threw his lot to the House of Tang, he relied on Jiancheng to fight Li Shimin; naturally he harbored evil intentions, hoping to split apart the House of Tang, or even to remove and replace it.

However, Li Shimin was not without any way to cope with it either; that is, he took Li Shiji, who no longer had great hopes toward Li Mi, into his employment, so that Li Mi’s remaining power was split up one step further.

Since Li Mi’s troops were defeated, Li Mi’s undefeated legend was shattered. His prestige fell to the lowest point. And by the time he surrendered to the House of Tang, already all the overlords vying for the world from all directions did not regard him as a top figure anymore.

On the contrary, Li Shiji, who led Li Mi’s remaining troops and generals guarding Hebei to fight Wang Shichong, had his prestige soared. Not only the outstanding heroes all over the world had a whole new level of respect for him, it even made him obtaining Li Mi’s power, as well as becoming his substitute within the Wagang Army.

Even among the generals of the House of Tang, he was also an influential figure. Whether Liu Wuzhou wanted to go down south, or perhaps Dou Jiande wanted to come to the east, they must break through the defense line that he guarded first.

It was precisely because of his special position, plus because he was the onlooker who sees clear while the person on the spot is baffled [idiom] – that he was the first to comment.

Chai Shao spoke heavily, “What does Huangshang want to warn about?”

Just by looking at this Kou Zhong’s number one rival in love’s expression, one could tell that his relationship with Li Shiji was not too good.

With a slight smile, Li Shiji, indifferently and calmly, replied, “Huangshang is warning people with disloyalty in their hearts not to act blindly without thinking, because by this action Huangshang is showing that he is not without vigilance.”

None of the people present was not emotionally moved.

With a smile on his face, Li Shimin said, “Shiji and this king’s views agree without prior consultation. Who can tell this king why Fu Huang did not issue the decree early, he did not issue the decree late, but the moment the Spring Festival is about to arrive, he grandly and seriously issue the decree this afternoon?”

Clearing his throat, Du Ruhui said, “Is it possible to discuss this matter later?”

One after another everybody echoed what he said.

Although Li Shimin appeared to be wishing to continue, he did not insist; turning toward Li Jing, who all along remained silent, he said, “If Ke Dazhi goes against our expectation by not issuing any challenge, should we take the initiative by striking first?”

Listening to this, Xu Ziling praised him inwardly. Li Shimin was worthy to be called a chief talent as the commanding officer of the joint armed force; he unceasingly shot out questions to encourage his subordinates to use their brains. If it was pleasant to hear, he would take their suggestion and use it to verify and revise his own firm view.

Before Li Jing could respond, Zhangsun Wuji already answered, “I think if we do not have one-hundred-percent confidence, it would not be appropriate to lightly initiate a battle. If we are unfortunate and suffer defeat, the harm to our Heavenly Policy Mansion will be even more difficult to make up.”

Zhangsun Wuji’s analysis was very insightful; at the same time, it was obvious that this martial art master, who ranked within the top three masters of the Heavenly Policy Mansion, who had suffered defeat under Ke Dazhi’s hands, was still wary, as well as still having deep misgivings – toward Ke Dazhi.

In fact, this kind of ‘using martial art to make friends’ that Ke Dazhi used to issue challenge with evil intention – has dealt a heavy blow toward the Heavenly Policy Mansion’s prestige, hence it was necessary for Li Shimin to work out a strategy to deal with it.

Yuchi Jingde added, “Jingde is in favor of Zhangsun Jiangjun’s [general] opinion. Furthermore, I think that even if Ke Dazhi issued challenge tonight, Li Jiangjun or Li Furen [Madame Li] must not take up the challenge either. Otherwise, if we let Ke Dazhi prevail one more time, he would proclaim everywhere that he had defeated the Heavenly Policy Mansion’s generals from top to bottom.”

Letting out a cold snort, Hong Funu said, “Supposing it was us who won, and then what? Wouldn’t it dampen their Chang Lin Army’s might? Tonight, let the Red Whisk undertake the task [reminder: Hong Funu means red whisk lady]; I want to see if he, Ke Dazhi, really have three heads and six arms.”

Li Shimin laughed calmly and said, “As for who is going to undertake this task, or not, let us talk about it later.”

His tiger-eyes turned to look at Xu Ziling, he said cordially, “Mo Laozi, what do you think? Please feel free to speak out, no need to have any scruples, just consider it chatting about domestic trivia.”

Of course Xu Ziling did not dare to respond with lengthy discourse; pretending to be humble, he said, “Due to Biren being an outsider, even if I lost this battle tonight, the blow toward the Heavenly Policy Mansion should not be too grave.”

Shaking his head, Li Shimin said, “No! We must not lose.”

Standing up abruptly, he went down the steps, and walked slowly with his hands behind his back. Throwing his head back, he laughed loudly and said, “I never thought that I, Li Shimin, am not afraid of any battle with magnificent army of thousands of men and horses on the outside, but am baffled by a tiny, insignificant one-on-one duel in here.”

Everybody revealed an ashamed look.

When he was in the middle of the hall, Li Shimin suddenly stopped and stood still. His pair of eyes flickering brightly, he said coldly, “Gentlemen [orig. qing – term used by the emperor for his subject], don’t ever think that success or failure of this kind of two-person battle will have nothing to do with the general situation. In fact, toward our Heavenly Policy Mansion’s prestige, morale, and confidence, it will have a serious influence.”

Xu Ziling agreed from the bottom of his heart. Because of Li Shimin’s unrivalled military achievement, the Heavenly Policy Mansion has established supremely perfect image among the Great Tang’s army and civilians. But Ke Dazhi, relying on one skill Sandstorm Saber Technique, wanted to make a dent on this originally unblemished image. This side vanishing that side flourishing, Chang Lin Army’s prestige therefore would rise.

If Li Shimin did not try to remedy this, to redeem his reputation, in the struggle against Jiancheng, Yuanji, he would be forced to be in the disadvantageous position.

Under his doted imperial concubines and lowly people’s incitement, Li Yuan’s impression on Li Shimin was getting worse, even though he was still unable to control Li Shimin, also because he was constrained by circumstances. But once this situation was reversed, the consequences were certainly hard to fathom.

Li Jing sprang up from his chair and threw himself kneeling on the ground. “Qin Wang,” he called in clear voice, “Please let Li Jing battle Ke Dazhi tonight.”

One after another everybody present, civilian ministers and military leaders alike, left their seat and kneeled down. Xu Ziling and the two Bu brothers had no choice but to blindly follow their lead and kneeled on the ground.

Li Shimin’s speech had inspired everybody so that they were brimming with the fighting spirit; they were all willing to die for him.

Returning to his throne, Li Shimin said, “Gentlemen [‘qing’, see above], please rise.”

After everyone was seated, Li Shimin’s flickering eyes swept across each one, with a hint of smile brimming with confidence on his face. He spoke shrewdly, “Ke Dazhi is the Eastern Tujue’s most prominent martial art master of the new generation; only Ba Fenghan could be compared to him. However, even if he could defeat Heavenly Policy Mansion people completely, it does not mean that he is without a rival in the Central Plains.”

Everybody, Xu Ziling included, was greatly astonished. Judging from the tone of Li Shimin’s voice before, the battle tonight could only be won and must not end in defeat. But from the tone of his speech just now, it sounded like losing was not a big deal.

Hong Funu said, “Qin Wang, please let Li Jing go out to battle; he surely will not disappoint Qin Wang’s expectation.”

Pang Yu joined in, “Among our Heavenly Policy Mansion’s generals, Li Jiangjun’s ‘Bloody Battle Ten Styles’ could easily be considered the chief. Only he can redeem our face. Please Qin Wang give him your permission.”

One after another the crowd nodded in agreement. The atmosphere was solemn, the fighting spirit was exuberant.

Li Shimin’s gaze fell on Xu Ziling’s face, he spoke in heavy voice, “Mo Laoshi has fought hand to hand against Ke Dazhi; exactly what is your odds of victory?”

Inwardly Xu Ziling replied not even half a part [i.e. 5%], simply because the one fighting hand-to-hand against Ke Dazhi was Hou Xibai and not him; and Hou Xibai, because he did not dare to use the Fan of Beauty, his unique school’s weapon, to fight him, his power was greatly diminished, plus it gave Ke Dazhi a lot of advantage. However, he simply had to answer Li Shimin’s question. He said, “Victory or defeat is only fifty-fifty.”

More than half of the crowd present revealed an expression showing that they were thinking that he was too boastful.

If Xu Ziling made that remark as himself, no one would dare to doubt it, so much so that they might praise him for being too modest. But as Mo Wei, naturally it was another matter altogether.

Especially Pang Yu, Zhangsun Wuji, and Yuchi Jingde, three men who had fought hand to hand against Ke Dazhi; they felt that he was overestimating his capabilities.

Only Li Jing was well aware that among the people present, he was the most qualified person to make that remark.

Letting out a long laugh, Li Shimin said, “Very well! Since Mo Laoshi has the confidence and the guts, this king will keep our original intention of letting Mo Laoshi go out to battle Ke Dazhi. Li Jiangjun, do you understand this king’s intention?”

It suddenly dawned on everybody that Li Shimin was using a roundabout way to explain one thing, which was that the Heavenly Policy Mansion could not afford to lose another battle.

By letting Mo Wei, this outsider, to go out to battle, even if he was defeated, the Heavenly Policy Mansion’s fame for fighting prowess would not be brought down to the point that it was completely lost.

The most formidable part of Li Shimin’s plan was that he kept everybody’s opinion in balance; he was unifying different voices and encouraging morale. Otherwise, if he only accepted one suggestion, those people whose ideas were not accepted would not accept wholeheartedly.

Zhangsun Wuji and Yuchi Jingde were not proponent of this battle; furthermore, they could not accept that an outsider would represent them to battle. But after listening to Li Shimin’s speech, they felt that having Mo Wei, this outsider to go out to battle was proper and to be expected as a matter of course, and worth a try instead.

Sincerely and in good faith, Li Jing said, “Li Jing understands. This is indeed the best option.”

Li Shimin rose to his full height and said with a smile, “So be it. Tonight we will depend on Mo Laoshi’s ability!”

Xu Ziling knelt on the ground and spoke in bright and clear voice, “Xiaoren surely will not disappoint Qin Wang’s expectation.”

The crowd roared their approval, the morale was extremely high.