Chapter 9 – Timely Execution of a Brilliant Scheme

After sending off Luo Feng, Kou Zhong returned to the Zongguan Mansion; turned out Chen Changlin had just come back, and was having a chat about the old times with Xu Ziling at the main hall. “Changlin Xiong came back just in time,” he said in great delight, “This time your revenge seems promising.”

Chen Changlin’s spirit greatly aroused, he promptly asked for more details.

After Kou Zhong finished explaining the situation, Chen Changlin dejectedly said, “Right now Li Zitong is powerless to defend himself, while our strength is not enough to deal with either Du Fuwei or Shen Lun, how could I take revenge?”

Kou Zhong called a guard to summon Xu Xingzhi, while in passing he asked about Chen Changlin’s effort to recruit his clansmen back home.

Noticing his ‘having a card up his sleeve’, also knowing that Kou Zhong was full of stratagems, plus he had ‘schemes that ghosts and deities cannot measure’, Chen Changlin’s confidence was back; he excitedly replied, “My trip was very good, much better than what I thought, especially after getting the wind that Shao Shuai captured Donghai, one after another my clansmen embarked on the journey north. My estimate is at least two thousand strong, young men are going to join Shao Shuai’s army. In addition, no less than five hundred skilled mariners and skilled shipbuilders from my clan are also going to place themselves into your hands. I am just one step ahead of them to report the news to Shao Shuai. Very soon I will have to travel through the night to Donghai to provide support for them.”

Kou Zhong happily asked, “Have those two thousand young men served in the military?”

Chen Changlin replied, “Most of them have joined the army of the old dynasty; those who currently serve in the Shen Army are not the minority either.”

“That will do!” Kou Zhong delightedly said, “Changlin Xiong ought have them come to Liangdu, the sooner the better.”

This moment Xu Xingzhi arrived. Finished listening, he stroked his beard and said with a smile, “Shao Shuai’s plan is wonderful; use Jiangnan men to beat Du Fuwei, and when Du Fuwei mistakenly believes that Shen Lun is stabbing him in the back and retaliate, we’ll seize the opportunity to attack Shen Lun. Jiangdu siege will automatically break. Am I right?”

Kou Zhong sighed and said, “Mr. Xu is indeed Zhuge Wuhou [i.e. Marquis of Wu, Zhuge Liang] reborn. Just a quick glance, you already see through Xiaodi’s heart.”

Xu Ziling also nodded to express his admiration.

Chen Changlin’s eyes lit up; standing up suddenly, he said, “I am hastening to Donghai right now. When we attack Shen Lun, Changlin wishes to become the vanguard.”

Kou Zhong pulled his sleeve and said, “Hold on! Changlin Xiong needs to give directions to our tailor first on how to make Shen Army uniforms.”

Xu Xingzhi laughed and said, “If Shen Lun really wanted to attack Du Fuwei sneakily, how could he let his soldiers and sergeants openly wear Shen Army’s uniform and insignia? As long as they are Jiangnan people, that is enough. Du Fuwei will believe it even more.” [Translator’s note: In general, Jiangnan is the area south of Yangtze River.]

Slapping his forehead, Kou Zhong said, “I am muddleheaded, ha! This time even the cost of clothing can be saved back.”

Chen Changlin left with excited look on his face.

※ ※ ※

The third day after Chen Changlin left, Gui Xiliang and Xing Rong, covered in dust, rushed over. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling arranged a banquet to wash the dust from their feet. Joining them were Xu Xingzhi, Chen Jiafeng, Xie Jue, and Ren Meimei, who had just returned from Pengcheng to give report of the situation.

After three rounds of wine, Kou Zhong said, “Around the banquet table are all our own people, you may speak without any misgivings.”

Gui Xiliang’s countenance immediately sank, as he said, “In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony either. You doggedly want to put me on the stage, saying that I would be able to resolve Jiangdu siege or what have you, implicating me so that all day long I suffered frigid irony and scorching satire from Shao Lingzhou’s men; my days are unbearable to the extreme. Okay, now Shao Lingzhou has formally announced that if I manage to pull this practically impossible task, then I, Gui Xiliang, will not only rise to the Fu Bangzhu position, I would even reach the top by occupying the Bangzhu position. My granny! Tell me, how the hell am I supposed to step down the stage this time?”

Xing Rong also expressed his displeasure, “Shao Lingzhou’s move this time is clearly aimed at humiliating Dage; although he did not say that it can’t be done, but everybody knows that if Jiangdu fell, resignation would be Gui Ge’s only way out.”

Kou Zhong smiled and said, “This ‘practically impossible task’, did Shao Lingzhou put it in writing in his formal announcement, or did you, Xiliang Lao Ge make it up yourself?”

Gui Xiliang crossly said, “I made it up. What’s wrong with that?”

Ren Meimei and the others smiled in amusement; they all knew that these two knew each other since they were little, hence they were able to have candid dialog.

Remaining calm in the midst of chaos, Kou Zhong said, “Supposing in the past I told you that I could get rid of Ren Shaoming, inflict heavy damage to Li Mi, and drive away Yuwen Huagu, wouldn’t you also use the same words to describe it?”

Gui Xiliang’s face turned beet red; with blue veins protruding on his forehead, he angrily said, “How can you discuss that matter with this current situation together? Ay! We are brothers, why don’t you tell me how am I going to solve Jiangdu’s siege situation?”

Looking at Xu Ziling, who was trying hard not to laugh, Kou Zhong laughed and said, “Why don’t I let Xiao Ling tell you? You trusted him a lot more than you trust me!”

Assuming a don’t-drag-me-into-this-mess attitude, Xu Ziling shrugged his shoulders and said, “It wasn’t me who put Liang Ge on the stage. The one who untied the bell must be the one to tie it back. Shao Shuai, please!”

Finally Ren Meimei could not hold it any longer. “Pfft!” she burst into a tender giggle; her seductive appearance was very attractive. Gui Xiliang, who saw her voluptuousness for the first time, was somewhat better than Xing Rong, who stared blankly at her for half a day.

Ren Meimei was a veteran in seducing men; immediately she cast another coquettish glance, which, although he wanted to refuse, yet he could not help welcoming it.

Kou Zhong laughed and cursed Xu Ziling a bit, “Kid, you are messing with me!” Afterwards, he leaned over and whispered in Gui Xiliang’s ear for a quarter of an hour. It was not until Gui Xiliang’s countenance relaxed and he repeatedly nodded his head that Kou Zhong straightened up, picked up a cup of wine with his left hand, and heavily slapped Gui Xiliang’s shoulder with his right hand, laughed aloud, and said, “Gentlemen, governors and generals, heroes of Jianghu, fellow countrymen and elders, brothers and sisters, let us drink his mother’s toast for the future Zhuhua Bang’s Gui Bangzhu.”

Everybody promptly raised their cups and clamored noisily to congratulate him.

Xu Ziling also raised his cup, but he did not say anything. He inwardly mused that whether it was the sorrow of their Niang passing, or the pain of Su Jie’s death, Kou Zhong was always able to recover from the blow better than he was. This was perhaps one of the must-have prerequisites of becoming an overlord of the world.

※ ※ ※

The next day Gui Xiliang and Xing Rong took a boat to return to Jiangdu in high spirits, a night-and-day difference from when they arrived, where they were hanging their heads in dispirit.

Accompanying them was Xu Ziling, disguised as the Scarface Hero, and Luo Qifei. One would be acting as guardian of this future Bamboo Flower Gang’s Gang Leader twelve sichen a day, the other one was tasked to organize reconnaissance team, consisted of Zhuhua Bang’s men, who were familiar with local situation, and who would become the backbone of the team, reinforced by more than a dozen reconnaissance experts from Shao Shuai Army, with the main task to gather intelligence on Du and Shen’s two armies.

Later that day, Xu Ziling slipped out to the stern, alone, to watch the beautiful scenery of the canal under the starry night. Thinking about Susu’s misfortune, grief welled up in his heart, he sighed deeply.

Susu’s death was a deeper and heavier blow to him than Fu Junchuo’s. The latter’s death was moving and tragic, as well as explosive and intense; it happened so suddenly that before he understood clearly, it already passed. But toward Susu, he was always brimming with hope and expectation, but suddenly all strives and wishes went up in smoke. It was that kind of loss that made him feel so helpless and full of regret, it felt like a viper is boring into his inner organs and gnaw and bite his spirit.

He did not know when he would recover like Kou Zhong. People say time can heal everything. But he also knew that Susu would always leave indelible scars in his heart.

Every time he remembered her voice and features when she spoke to him before her death, his heart would go into a spasm! It would exhaust the strength in his entire body before he could fight the tremendous, incomparable pain and depression. He was already too numb to hate anyone, including Li Jing and Xiang Yushan. But would not stop Kou Zhong from extracting the harshest revenge from Xiang Yushan.

And he knew that absolutely no one in the world could stop Kou Zhong from demanding repayment on behalf of Susu.

Most probably the cause of Susu’s illness was from prolonged exposure to pent-up frustration, which give rise to physical illness; indirectly it was from Li Jing, but the immediate cause was definitely from Xiang Yushan. It was something that he and Kou Zhong were already aware of, but Susu did not raise this matter; even more, she was not willing to talk about it.

In the past few days, they did not dare to mention Susu at all. It was too saddening!

This moment Gui Xiliang came to his side, cleared his throat and said, “Hey! I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”

With great difficulty Xu Ziling composed himself; nodding, he said, “We are brothers! Go ahead!”

Gui Xiliang looked a bit embarrassed; after muttering to himself irresolutely for a moment, he said, “Why do you think Xiao Zhong want me to support me to become Bangzhu? To be honest, I am very aware of my own capacity. Becoming a Hall Master is already quite remarkable; but Bangzhu? Ay!”

Xu Ziling spoke indifferently, “In your heart, do you want to become Bangzhu?”

Smiling wryly, Gui Xiliang replied, “People always look to high places, water will flow to lower places; if you ask whether I want to or not, of course I do! But if name and reality don’t match, it would be the same as doing arduous and thankless job.”

Xu Ziling said, “If you want it, then you can do it. What you lack right now is confidence. With Kou Zhong supporting you wholeheartedly, what are you afraid of? He can’t possibly harm you. You ought to know how he conducts himself. When we were little and fought with others, he never tried to sneak away first, he always stayed to the very end.”

Distressed, Gui Xiliang said, “I become Bangzhu, what benefit will it be to him? Even if I become Bangzhu, there is no way I would be able to order old men like Shao Lingzhou and Shen Beichang around. Mai Yunfei will definitely set himself against me. Something that has a name but no reality like this, why would I want to become Bangzhu?”

Xu Ziling replied indifferently, “Then why didn’t you tell Xiao Zhong frankly like you told me just now? If you did, you wouldn’t have to be distressed over this matter!”

Gui Xiliang sighed and said, “Xiao Zhong thinks so highly of me like this, how could I disappoint him? Not to mention Shao Lingzhou already cut off my way back; I don’t have any choice but to continue in spite of adversity. Ay! Am I contradicting myself?”

Xu Ziling spoke softly, “Achieving and preserving power and position has never been an easy thing. Xiao Zhong now is no longer Xiao Zhong of the past. He has a way to help you become Zhuhua Bang’s Bangzhu whose name and reality match, so much so that he can put several capable people inside the Gang to help you; in turn, you support him in his great undertaking to contend for supremacy over the world. Just think! Aren’t even old fox like Li Zitong and Shao Lingzhou like toys that he plays with in the palm of his hand? You may listen to Xiao Rong’s opinion more; his cool-headedness and wisdom is enough to make up for your deficiency.”

And then he pulled his shoulders in an embrace and said, “It’s late! Take an early rest, after reaching Jiangdu tomorrow, we might encounter a lot of unexpectedly things, which will require a lot of effort on our part to deal with it.”

※ ※ ※

Kou Zhong hurriedly came to the main gate to welcome Liu Heita; he laughed and said, “I did not know how I was going to get in touch with Liu Dage, unexpectedly honored guest already graced us by your presence.”

Liu Heita laughed aloud, he pulled Kou Zhong’s arm as they stepped into the main hall, and amiably said, “It’s not that you are looking for me, but I am looking for you. Currently, who in the world did not hear Kou Zhong’s name and be filled with admiration?”

After being sat properly and had everybody else leave the hall, Liu Heita said, “Xia Wang [King of Xia] originally wanted to send someone else as an envoy to you, but I insisted on personally take this trip to avoid becoming estranged with my good brother. If we meet in the battlefield later on, it will be bad thing indeed!”

Kou Zhong shook his head and said, “Liu Dage need not worry, brother is brother, how could we exchange good wine and good food with soldiers and sabers to treat each other? Come! Let’s drink a cup first, to wish our brotherly love to endure forever.”

After the toast, Kou Zhong asked, “How’s the war situation in the north? Has Li Mi surrendered to Li Shimin?”

His countenance changed, Liu Heita asked, “Is there such matter?”

After Kou Zhong gave his analysis, Liu Heita’s countenance turned grave; he mused, “Li Shimin is indeed a man with far-reaching foresight. Under Li Mi’s command, battle-hardened generals are like the cloud, strategic experts as thick as rain. Just this group of talents is enough to give current Li Clan’s power a dramatic increase, so that they will be even more difficult to deal with.”

Kou Zhong said, “Perhaps Li Mi would rather die than surrender. Ay! But Li Mi did indeed have rendered exceptional merit, perhaps he really could not bear it anymore and surrender to Li Shimin, to avoid being destroyed altogether. This possibility is not small.”

Liu Heita remained silent.

Kou Zhong went on, “I hear Xu Yuanlang was beaten by you, Liu Dage, that everything was broken and in disorder. I wonder when are you going to penetrate his lair in Rencheng?”

“How could it be that simple?” Liu Heita calmly said, “Xu Yuanlang is fighting hard to recover his lost territory. The most hateful thing is that he asks for help from Gao Kaidao and Yuwen Huaji. Yuwen Huaji was defeated by Li Mi and then you, one after another; presently he is powerless to defend himself, so he might ignore this request. But Gao Kaidao has the Tujue people backing him up; himself was incomparably brave, his great general Zhang Jinshu is an expert in using cavalry, they are not to be underestimated.”

Kou Zhong repeatedly recited the names Gao Kaidao and Zhang Jinshu, in his heart, to commit them into his memory. Suddenly he asked, “There is one thing I really don’t understand: why did you guys pick this time to cross sword with Xu Yuanlang?”

Liu Heita shrugged his shoulders and said, “The reason is very simple: because Xu Yuanlang has always been attaching himself to Li Mi. Now that his supporter is down, we do not have misgivings anymore. I almost forget to thank you for this. Come! Let Liu Dage toast you a cup.”

‘Ding!’

Wine cups clinked against each other, the fine wine was drowned into their belly.

Kou Zhong sighed and said, “Now I understand the meaning of ‘pulling one hair and the whole body moves’. Much less Li Mi is certainly more than just a strand of hair.”

Liu Heita said, “This Xu Yuanlang is the most spineless man. On one hand, he is asking for help from Gao Kaidao and Yuwen Huaji, on the other hand he is surreptitiously exchanging flirting glances with Wang Shichong; hence the situation is not entirely beneficial to us.”

“Is there something that Xiaodi can do to help?” Kou Zhong muttered irresolutely.

Liu Heita cheerfully said, “As long as you are willing to do business, then it will be all right. As for the other matters, without me telling you, you might make an attempt to have a firm grasp on Wang Shichong or Du Fuwei. This will bring us great benefit.”

Smiling wryly, Kou Zhong said, “Liu Dage is very straightforward. In the end, you and your Xia Wang basically do not need to fear that my Shao Shuai Army, which, alone, does not have much power, would play any trick on you.”

Liu Heita calmly said, “Although currently you are one of the few people that I think highly of, but under present circumstances, it is still difficult for you to accomplish anything. Right now I do not have any doubt that it will be very difficult for me to persuade you to realign your allegiance to Dou Ye, but you must never be a hardheaded hero. Once the city of Jiangdu fell, or perhaps Wang Shichong is coming to the east, in your most critical moment, you must never forget that I, Liu Heita, am your brother, who have been through trials and tribulations, life and death situation together with you. You only need to send me a letter, I will definitely help you with all my strength. At that time we will crisscross the world side by side; won’t that be delightful?”

Kou Zhong sighed and said, “Thinking about it is indeed delightful. Liu Dage is certainly a political adviser with extraordinary charm. But I do not know whether I ought to look forward to the coming of that kind of days. Anyway, back to the topic, what business brought Liu Dage here to see me?”

Liu Heita did not mince his word, “We give you warhorses and weapons, you supply us with produce and rice grain; benefiting both sides without bringing any harm.”

Kou Zhong laughed involuntarily and said, “After all, your Dou Daye wishes that I can hold on for a few more days, right? Such a good offer, how can I, Kou Zhong, refuse?”

Liu Heita stretched out his big hand to shake Kou Zhong’s. He said in low voice, “Be careful! Remember the saying: as long as the green mountain remains, no need to worry there won’t be any firewood. I am off! I will send someone to contact you later.”

Kou Zhong was stunned, “You are not going to spend the night to chat with me?” he asked.

Liu Heita helplessly replied, “I am actually in the situation where I could not spare myself to meet this appointment. How come I did not see Xiao Ling?’

Kou Zhong walked with him to the main gate, he said, “He went south. Come! Let me send you off outside the city.”

Liu Heita’s countenance went dark; he said, “Did he go to Baling to look for your virtuous sister?”

Kou Zhong felt as if his heart was pierced by an awl or steel needle; after hesitating for half a day, he nodded and simply replied, “Yes!”

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