Book 20 - Chapter 5 – The Difference Between Close and Distant Relatives (1/2)
Book 20 Chapter 5 – The Difference Between Close and Distant Relatives
That very night Xu Ziling left Liangdu, riding on a light boat alone overnight along Tongji Canal going down south, and reached the confluence of Tongji Canal and the Huai River Fro down south and reach Jiangdu in less than half a day, and if he headed west along the Huai River, in just several sichen he would have reached Zhongli Originally, the journey would have been very convenient Too bad Li Zitong stationed his warshi+ps here, and laid out iron chains across the canal, to stop any boat or shi+p fro did not wish to let new branch growing out of a knot, hence he abandoned his boat here, came ashore and headed to the west by land route Unleashi+ng his footwork, he passed Zhongli, but did not enter the city, but turned to the south As soon as he reached the Yangtze River, he could try to find a boat going west, to save ti the hen he was thirsty he drank ry he picked a couple of wild fruits to eat his fill When he took a rest, he would delve into the hand-written treasured books that Lu Miaozi bequeathed him This way not only he did not feel lonely, he felt carefree, forgetting worry, without anxiety, and felt relaxed instead
Now that he had made up his mind to rescue Susu, mother and son, he was able to throw out the load on his nificant probleard
Along his route, occasionally he would encounter deserted villages, and fill his eyes with the desolation in the aftermath of a disaster, which ed course and travel through wild, out-of-the-way uninhabited es Under his feet, traveling over destituteon the level ground
It was the height of the su, the scenery was enchanting Throughout the Henan region, the climate was moderate, rainfall was abundant, different kinds of trees rassland Sika deer, golden snub-nosedthe wilderness with natural charet the dismal wind and wretched rain of the secular world
One day at noon, he crossed a high mountain and reached a fertile plain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River As far as his eyes could see, there were branches full of wild fruits, fresh flowers in full blooreat mood as he climbed to the hill top, and cast his eyes all around
In the not-so-distant southerly direction, there was a strange-looking e peaks and weird rock fored, extremely and wonderfully serene About halfway up thethe rocks Suddenly his interest was piqued and since it was on his way anyway, he was thinking of exploring it Thereupon he dashed toward the strange mountain
In less than half a day, he already reached the foot of the h, and to his surprise, he found a bridge spanning it, connecting the secluded path going around and up thewas very curious; it had never occurred to him that in such a wild, mountainous country where no man ever stepped his foot on, there was such a scenic spot
But then he got to think: people built a monastery here, surely it was because they wanted to escape the secular world If he siht disturb their quiet inal intention and turn around to leave, when suddenly a burst of clear andxiao, vertically blown flute] sound was heard fro to that, Xu Ziling was emotionally moved
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Inside the study roo were studying du and the surrounding area
Xuan Yong said, “With our current strength, by directly attacking Donghai ill definitely end up with our wings clipped and will have to return in defeat But if we can exploit our currently favorable situation, perhaps we can capture Donghai without wasting a single soldier, a singleand difficult journey to the Flying Horse Ranch to seek help”
Greatly interested, Kou Zhong replied, “I a lake east of Pengcheng, separated by Mount Luliang and Mount Yi, “This is Lake Luoma [lit llama],” he said, “The confluence of the river course Not only it has abundant fish, the area around the lakeshore are fertile, vast agricultural land, the lifeline of es nearby If we can seize control of Xiapi, we can control this lake At that time, without Shao Shuai even need to open yourarea will obediently throw their lot to you”
Astonished, Kou Zhong asked, “Is there such a convenient matter? Who currently has control over Xiapi?”
Xuan Yong replied, “Currently Xiapi falls under control of a powerful gang called Luozhu is called Du Ren, hishas to pay hi the lake al toll Fro and looting, so he has already incited the heaven’s anger and the people’s grievance If we can reoverne, the heart of the people will definitely turn to you By then, we can also acquire Huairen, Langya, Lanling, Liangcheng, four counties northwest of Donghai, Muyang, Lianshui, Huaiyang, three counties southwest, plus Xiapi itself, we can cohai is potentially already in our bag”
E is indeed an insightful person This plan is not only brilliant, it is within our ability, and will be greatly advantageous in our effort to rebuild Pengcheng”
Seeing his proposal was accepted, Xuan Yong’s spirit greatly aroused, he said, “In that case, subordinate will iet a clear picture of Du Ren’s foundation, to see hoe can eli left, Kou Zhong was thinking of taking out Lu Miaozi’s secret book and spending souard cazhou cahted, Kou Zhong hurriedly went out to meet them
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The flute sound slowly nificent, leisure at natural world where the wind brushed the leaves into motion The tone and the cohesion between the sound had no flaw Although there was no intense change or cli that lingered endlessly, an implicit charm in the sound that would not rest until death
Xu Ziling could not help stopping to listen carefully The ethereal, penetrating wordless music seemed to accurately describe the beautiful endlessly empty space in the abyss of a certain spirit; no sorrow, no joy, but was able to touch the listener’s soul The mood of the flute player itself was like an ely visible yet desired to be hidden; so elusive and unfathomable The tender and limpid beautiful sound was like someone inside the house, yet was dooaze of an outsider,others also felt that the heavy life could also be interpreted with cold, indifferent attitude
The flute sound suddenly stopped
As if he was forced to wake up fro reluctantly came up to his senses and decided to climb up the mountain to take a look
He kneho the flute player was
Only she could produce such a lucid and elegant, graceful, without the least bit of vulgarity, flute sound
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Grabbing Gui Xiliang and Xing Rong’s, his childhood co pulled the up, Gui Xiliang happily said, “It’s really good to see you, this kid Ever since we heard the news you defeated Yuwen Huaji, we immediately rushed over at double speed, most afraid that you would suddenly disappear so said, “Nowadays not ! Ay! If we had arrived two days earlier, we could have seen Xiao Ling too”
Kou Zhong poured tea for the two; giggling, he said, “Two Dage’s news network is certainly fast and abundant Xiaodi only kicked Yuwen Huagu’s butts a little bit, yet can’t conceal it from you; this time what kind of support you can offer Xiaodi?”
Gui Xiliang stared at hihed and said, “People say wealth will bring the good out of you You, this fellow, are already world famous, but at the deepest level, that shameless attitude seee”
Kou Zhong roared in laughter and said, “Can you change fine natural character as soon as you say you are going to change? Take you, this[ie scoundrel/bastard] for exazhu [lit fragrant ], you went all over the place acting like a big brother; ain with you, who previously loved to make a scene? The difference is that you are of an inferior funda was unable to hold his ground; displeased, he laughed and said, “We are all brothers, how co rolled with laughter; completely at ease, he said, “I don’t knoas the last ti raised his tea cup and said, “Coe with a cup of tea”
Finished laughing and joking, Gui Xiliang spoke grimly, “This time we rushed over, there is indeed a criticallaughed and said, “With your current status, you can’t possibly coarlic skin [ie trivial]said, “You tease ain and I’ll beat you; I don’t care how for surrendered “Gui Dage, please calm down,” he said, “May I ask what instruction do you have forjoined in, “Ever since that year in Jiangyin City you and Xiao Ling beat the people of Clear, Rain and Dew, three Halls, until they were in a sorry state [see Book 7 starting on Chapter 3], we reorganized our gang under the leadershi+p of Shao Junshi+ Due to your connection with the Song Clan, Liang Ge was prozhu [hall master] of the Dew Bamboo Hall Hey! Xiaodi was izhu [vice/deputy]”
Kou Zhong sighed and said, “I also know that Xiliang obtained Big Miss Shao Lanfang’s hand in e Ay! Your, this kid’s luck o’s old face turned beet red as he said, “You are teasing le each other endlessly, Xing Rong hastily cut the Clan’s support, these past few years we are enjoying great progress, and once again establish a good foundation in Jiangdu Otherwise, ould not learn that quickly that one after another you and Xiao Ling have defeated Li Mi and Yuwen Huaji All Xiongdi of our gang are very proud of you”
Kou Zhong laughed and said, “Don’t flatter blindly, at least that kid Mai Yunfei can’t possibly be proud of us; ayin that day, perhaps because he was Gui Xiliang’s rival in love, Mai Yunfei was very rude toward Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, resulting in hi his head and face filthy with gri out a cold huet that bird! With Shao Junshi+ in charge, he doesn’t even have a turn to speak up”
Therefore, Kou Zhong knew that Gui Xiliang and Mai Yunfei were still like fire and water
Xing Rong said, “Shao Junshi+ ordered us to co was stunned “What?” he said