Chapter 579: Watch Your Words

Those words were sincere, and yet not entirely sincere.

The insincerity lay in this: Shao Pingbo did not believe Niu Youdao would ever let him go. In turn, he believed Niu Youdao thought the same way. Niu Youdao would never spare him, so why would he spare Niu Youdao? Whichever of them gained the upper hand would spell the other's death.

The sincerity lay in this: he knew Taishu Xiong was indulging in wishful thinking. Niu Youdao could never submit to Taishu Xiong.

He and Niu Youdao had crossed hands again and again, each scheming to put the other to death. They had fought one another through the smallest details and therefore understood each other to a certain degree.

In some respects, Niu Youdao and he were the same kind of man. Neither liked being controlled. If Shao Pingbo had not been driven into a dead end, why would he ever have abandoned Beizhou and sought refuge here?

Likewise, Niu Youdao had managed Nanzhou perfectly well and now possessed authority there that carried the weight of nine tripods. He could never abandon Nanzhou, come here, bow his head, and become another man's subject.

So Shao Pingbo knew Taishu Xiong was destined to fail in recruiting him. Once recruitment failed, Taishu Xiong would inevitably want him dead. Why should Shao Pingbo needlessly play the villain now and blacken himself both in his own eyes and in Taishu Xiong's heart?

Taishu Xiong, however, was deeply moved by the righteous certainty and complete lack of hesitation in Shao Pingbo's response. Gratified and delighted, he said, “If every minister at court could be as selfless and farsighted as you, how could Jin have remained trapped for so long? It would already have been a fierce tiger loosed from its cage, roaring across all beneath Heaven! To have gained you is this sovereign's good fortune and Great Jin's good fortune. I am greatly fortunate indeed. I did not misjudge you. Good. Very good!”

“Your Majesty overpraises me. Only when the waters rise can the boat rise with them. This subject has selfish motives as well.” Shao Pingbo cupped his hands and bowed, accepting the praise.

“Everyone understands the principle. Is there anyone throughout the court who does not? They all understand it, but those capable of putting the greater and lesser interests in their proper order are as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. On that point alone, you surpass them by a thousandfold.” Taishu Xiong praised him again and again. Since Shao Pingbo was willing to cast aside all old grievances, Taishu Xiong did not stint on words of approval.

Shao Pingbo could only bow again, saying he was unworthy.

Taishu Xiong reached out to help him straighten, then clasped his hands behind his back. “As for the arrangements in Qi and Wei, I hear you're still hesitating. Shouldn't matters be accelerated? Or has Blackwater Terrace failed to give you its full cooperation? If anyone dares delay this great affair, name him!”

He was referring to the schemes intended to sow discord between the ruler of Wei and his elder sister, and between the Emperor of Qi and his son. Taishu Xiong had placed Shao Pingbo in charge of the matter.

At present, Shao Pingbo had little else to do. He mainly served beside Taishu Xiong as an adviser. Without accomplishments to his name, there was no suitable official post for Taishu Xiong to give him.

Shao Pingbo had already received exceptional favor merely by coming here, and there were voices of criticism at court. To hand such a high position to an outsider for no reason would be inappropriate.

This secret grand strategy had to remain absolutely confidential, without the slightest rumor leaking out, so no one at court had been told. It therefore became a whetstone Taishu Xiong had set before Shao Pingbo.

If Shao Pingbo's planning succeeded and allowed Jin's armies to strike afterward with the force of split bamboo, it would be a great achievement. Once he had earned merit of that scale, no one could object to rewards according to accomplishment. Shao Pingbo could then be elevated openly and properly.

Taishu Xiong understood this. Shao Pingbo understood it too.

Hearing the question, Shao Pingbo immediately explained seriously, “It is not that Chief Steward Tao has failed to cooperate fully. This subject simply does not wish to act rashly. The ruler of Wei may be absurd, but Xuan Wei of Wei is a woman who yields to no man, and Hao Yuntu, Emperor of Qi, is no ordinary figure either. If we beat the grass and startle the snake, allowing them to notice something and become guarded, this tactic will never work again. If we do not use this move, fine. Once we use it, it must succeed in a single strike.”

“The candidates Blackwater Terrace has offered so far do not satisfy me. I still need to sift through them carefully together with Blackwater Terrace. Every detail must be prepared without error. Whoever we plant among them must be beyond reproach, leaving the other side unable to uncover any flaw.”

“Mm. That makes sense. I was too impatient.” Taishu Xiong nodded repeatedly. “Your mind is meticulous. With your ability, I can rest easy leaving this matter in your hands.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty's trust. This subject will not fail the charge entrusted to me!”

...

Inside the Hall of Martial Valor at the Provincial Inspector's Residence of Nanzhou, Meng Shanming sat before a map while Shang Chaozong stood beside him.

Although they had already learned that Yan was withdrawing its troops and had abandoned the intention of attacking Nanzhou, matters in Zhao were not yet finished. Jinzhou remained under enormous pressure. If Jinzhou fell, Nanzhou would thereafter face enemies from both front and rear.

The map now showed Zhao's troop movements. They were discussing how a war might unfold if fighting truly began, making preparations before danger arrived.

Lan Ruoting entered carrying a letter. After greeting them, he handed it to Shang Chaozong. “A letter from Master Dao. He asks Your Highness to assemble ten thousand of the Yingyang and Wulie Guards and send them into Jinzhou. At the same time, the main army is to advance toward Jinzhou and adopt the posture that Nanzhou will spare no cost in supporting Jinzhou against the Zhao court. The purpose is deterrence.”

Meng Shanming stared at the map and nodded. “As expected.”

Lan Ruoting agreed. “Jinzhou and Nanzhou are lips and teeth, each relying upon the other. Neither side can afford to fall first. Otherwise, the one left standing will find it very difficult to withstand the pressure of an entire state.”

“This prince seems to have become Master Dao's echo,” Shang Chaozong suddenly said.

Meng Shanming and Lan Ruoting both started violently. They whipped their heads around and stared at him, momentarily speechless. Both involuntarily glanced around, as though worried the walls might have ears.

Those few words had made their hearts jump.

Seeing their reaction, Shang Chaozong waved a hand and smiled bitterly. “Don't misunderstand. This prince means nothing else by it. I also know we must help Jinzhou. It's simply that from beginning to end, Master Dao has never revealed any of his plans to us. A single scrap of paper arrives and we're expected to move a great army. Isn't that rather too casual?”

“Now that the situation is clear, that's one thing. But if the situation were still uncertain, how could this prince issue orders while knowing nothing? How should tens of thousands of troops march, where should they camp, how should they be deployed? Are we supposed to pile them all into Jinzhou at once?”

Meng Shanming slowly said, “Master Dao does not understand military affairs particularly well. That may be why he handles it this way. When there is an opportunity, I will speak with him. He should understand. However... Your Highness, you must watch your words!”

“Conceal your brilliance!” Lan Ruoting also pressed both hands downward and lowered his voice in warning. “When Teacher was alive, he once told the late Prince that a ruler should hold a hundred rivers within his breast. When employing men, he must not bare his edge. Show some clumsiness, and only then can others fully display their talents.”

“If you have your own firm decision on everything, then others need only stand by awaiting orders. How can they freely exert themselves? And how can men who do nothing but nod and obey willingly give you all their strength?”

“Your Highness knows Master Dao's abilities. What he does is precisely what Your Highness lacks, so Your Highness should let him make up that deficiency freely. In matters that are not for Your Highness to decide, close one eye and let them pass. In matters where Your Highness must decide, then display your edge openly.”

“On this point, Master Dao is truly a clever man. In matters here that are not his to interfere with, he scarcely even asks a question. Your Highness, conceal your brilliance. Conceal your brilliance!”

Shang Chaozong smiled bitterly. “I remember when we had only just escaped the capital and this prince cut down the commander guarding the city gate. Mr. Lan already thought I showed too much of my edge and kept telling me to conceal my brilliance. I've lost count of how many times you've reminded me since then.”

“I understand your intentions, and I know what should be done. I merely said it casually and meant nothing else. Marshal Meng and Mr. Lan are thinking too much.”

Whether the words had come from a passing feeling or truly meant nothing, Meng Shanming slowly spoke once more. It was still the same warning.

“Watch your words!”

Another letter arrived within the same residence at almost the same time. Dachan Mountain had also received a message from Niu Youdao.

Inside one of the halls, Huang Lie finished reading it and passed it among the Elders.

There was nothing else in the letter. Niu Youdao wanted Dachan Mountain to dispatch a large number of men to accompany Shang Chaozong's army westward and apply pressure on Zhao.

No one here was foolish. With the situation having developed this far, they naturally understood why the army had to advance west and apply pressure: Jinzhou, the shield protecting Nanzhou's rear, could not be allowed to fall.

The Elders passed the letter around. Huang Lie paced out of the hall, stopped beneath the eaves at the top of the steps, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked toward the sky.

“Ah...” He let out a soft sigh.

Given the situation, they had no choice but to comply. Protecting Jinzhou also meant protecting Dachan Mountain's own interests. Even so, the feeling of being led around by the nose was not pleasant.

But there was no alternative. The Yan court had withdrawn its army, so Dachan Mountain no longer even possessed the qualifications to play the fence-sitter.

Neither Dachan Mountain nor Shang Chaozong delayed. At Shang Chaozong's command, the forces assembled to deal with the imperial army began changing direction and marching toward Jinzhou in Zhao, displaying a posture of supporting Jinzhou at any cost.

...

Inside Zhao's imperial palace, Hai Wuji stood before a map in silence for a long time.

A eunuch entered carrying a tray with a bowl of soup. Approaching carefully, he said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, you still haven't eaten anything this morning—”

Clatter!

Hai Wuji swept out one hand and overturned the tray. The jade bowl shattered across the floor and soup splashed everywhere.

Hai Wuji turned with a face dark as storm clouds. The eunuch was so frightened that he immediately dropped to his knees and did not dare raise his head.

Hai Wuji paced back and forth through the hall, his expression black, anger filling his chest with nowhere to vent it.

Yan had lost its nerve, and the momentum of Yan and Zhao acting together had collapsed at once. Jinzhou had freed its hands to send troops west. With the combined strength of two provinces, Zhao could not afford a long war, for that would invite others to exploit its weakness. Hai Wuji could no longer insist on going his own way.

Only moments ago they had been full of aggressive momentum. Now they had to lower their banners and silence their drums.

The problem was that a lack of evidence did not mean others were ignorant. By now, who did not know that he had poisoned his own younger sister? Yet Hai Ruyue had survived, and now he did not even dare touch Jinzhou. He had shouldered the evil reputation without gaining a single benefit, losing all face in the process. The rage in his chest truly had nowhere to go.

“Your Majesty!” Another eunuch entered. One look at the scene in the hall and at Hai Wuji's expression made him instantly cautious. “Your Majesty, Yan envoy Gao Shaoming requests an audience.”

“He still has the face to come see me?” Hai Wuji exploded. “Useless thing! I won't see him. Tell him to get out! Send word to Yan that I do not welcome this man. Have Yan send another envoy!”

...

At the Provincial Inspector's Residence of Jinzhou, Situ Yao entered Niu Youdao's courtyard with several men, smiling broadly.

Guan Fangyi announced them, and Niu Youdao came out. The moment the two sides met, Situ Yao laughed openly and delivered the good news. “Little brother, the imperial court has withdrawn its army. The storm has passed!”

Niu Youdao smiled as well. “Sect Leader Situ, I didn't deceive you, did I? Was the response of my Nanzhou army fast enough? Did we delay by even a moment?”

A huge stone fell from Situ Yao's heart, leaving him in an extraordinarily good mood. He seized Niu Youdao's hand and patted it between both of his. “No delay at all. True feeling is seen in adversity. Little brother, you are a man worth trusting. With you holding Nanzhou, Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion can entrust its back to you without worry!”

“Before everyone here, I'll give little brother a promise. Dachan Mountain does not represent Nanzhou's attitude. From now on, when matters involve our two provinces, Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion will discuss them only with you!”

Niu Youdao asked, “Then I haven't disgraced the friendship of our alliance?”

Situ Yao replied, “We're like husband and wife, joined of one heart forever!”

Husband and wife?

Niu Youdao glanced at the hand Situ Yao was still holding and nearly broke out in gooseflesh. He withdrew his arm and teased, “If we're husband and wife, then Jinzhou must be the woman.”

Situ Yao immediately objected. Why should Jinzhou be the one lying beneath? “I think Nanzhou looks more like the woman.”

Niu Youdao waved a hand. “That reasoning doesn't hold. Hai Ruyue is a woman and can't turn into a man. His Highness is a man and can't turn into a woman. Put the two together and they really do look like husband and wife.”

At that, the people from Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion found themselves unable to answer. Li Wuhua's expression twitched slightly.

Guan Fangyi covered her smile, amused that Master Dao truly refused to lose out even in a joke. Once he opened his mouth, he always found some argument.

“You rascal, you won't even give up this tiny advantage.” Situ Yao rolled his eyes at him, then patted Niu Youdao's shoulder. “Little brother, the generations don't match.”

He was referring to the generational relationship between Hai Ruyue and Shang Chaozong.

Everyone burst into laughter. Niu Youdao laughed along, taking it simply as a joke.

“Little brother, a word in private.” After the laughter faded, Situ Yao gave Niu Youdao's shoulder another pat and gestured for him to step aside.

[End of Chapter 579]