knife

Chapter 743 Unexpected Visitor
(It's almost Chinese New Year, and I'll be very busy, so please don't be offended if I miss an update. I'll try my best to keep updating whenever I have time!)
Xiang Zhuang looked at the person Xiang Dong had brought in, and suddenly stood up from behind the large table, almost unable to believe his eyes.

"General Xiang, it hasn't been long since we parted, how come you don't recognize me?" The man placed his straw hat upright against the wall, took off his raincoat and threw it on the ground, brushed off the snow that had accumulated on his body, and looked at Xiang Zhuang with a smile.

Xiang Zhuang let out a heavy sigh of relief. He truly couldn't imagine why this person would be here.

Because he had just met this person in Chang'an about ten months ago.

The person standing before Xiang Zhuang was none other than Linghu Ye, the current chief minister of the Qin Dynasty.

Why would a powerful figure who controls the entire Qin state condescend to come to his dilapidated little place?
"Why has Commander Linghu come to me? Has something major happened in Chang'an?" Xiang Zhuang's voice changed slightly in surprise.

“Chang’an is safe and sound, as solid as a rock. Otherwise, why would I have left Chang’an?” Linghu Ye walked over with a smile. “What? General Xiang, I have come from afar, and you neither invite me to sit down nor offer me tea? This is not the way to treat a guest.”

Linghu Ye's relaxed words finally made Xiang Zhuang relax a bit, and he also understood something in his heart. He turned to look at Xiang Dong: "You brat, Commander Linghu really values ​​you. He actually came directly to you without even telling me beforehand. Now Commander Linghu has made a fool of himself in front of me!"

Xiang Dong looked at Xiang Zhuang with some grievance.

"You don't need to blame him!" Linghu Ye laughed. "As you know, he has no chance against me, and he knows me too. He knew that bringing me to see you wouldn't put you in any danger. Speaking of which, the security in your manor is really formidable. Fortunately, I didn't just randomly choose a dark and windy night to barge in. If I had, I would have made a fool of myself!"

"There's a master of innate cultivation in Danyang who wants my life, so I have to be on high alert!" Xiang Zhuang said with a bitter smile. "Why did Commander Linghu come to see me? I'm not the same Xiang Zhuang I was a year ago. I can only struggle to survive in this small place. There's really nothing I have that you would value. So why did you come?"

"Mountains are not valued for their height, but for the immortals dwelling there; waters are not valued for their depth, but for the dragons residing within. Your so-called small place is now causing a stir across half of the Chu Kingdom, holding its own against Na Wei without falling behind!" Linghu Ye chuckled. "Yesterday I also heard that people from the southwest came to contact you. It seems you've also made inroads into Na Wei's lair. You truly deserve the respect of General Xiang."

When Xiang Ying was mentioned, Xiang Zhuang's expression darkened. He invited Linghu Ye to sit down and instructed Xiang Dongzi to prepare tea. Only then did he sit down opposite Linghu Ye and say, "If it weren't for something earth-shattering, the Commander-in-Chief wouldn't have come in person. So please give me your instructions. If I can do it, I will do my best. If I can't, I will give you a reply in person!"

Linghu Ye nodded: "Do you know why I came in person?"

"I really don't understand. What's the point of the commander-in-chief making the trip himself when a mere special envoy or a letter would suffice?"

“First, there are very few people you can trust with what I’m about to do. Second, of course, it’s for the sake of secrecy!” Linghu Ye said. “Those under my command who are of that caliber cannot be moved lightly. The slightest movement will inevitably attract attention, and if they investigate and discover their whereabouts, they might guess what I’m doing. After thinking it over, only by doing this myself can I avoid being discovered. After all, they can’t find my whereabouts!”

"You are under the watchful eyes of everyone in Chang'an!"

"Everyone gets sick sometimes!" Linghu Ye laughed. "Besides, I hid for a few days without making a sound down there, which is actually the least likely thing for anyone to notice!"

"That's true!" Xiang Zhuang pondered for a moment and said, "Then what does the commander-in-chief want to teach me personally?" "I'm here to be a peacemaker for your Na Wei!" As soon as Linghu Ye spoke, Xiang Zhuang's face darkened completely.

"Does the General know who killed my uncle?" Xiang Zhuang asked coldly. "And my Xiang clan members in Danyang are still in prison."

"General Xiang did indeed die at the hands of the sorcerer!" Linghu Ye nodded and said, "But if Li Dachui hadn't injured him first, would the sorcerer have had the ability to kill him? Li Dachui used this as a pretext to set up a game, luring Na Wei into it. Not only Na Wei understood this, but you did too. However, Na Wei was blinded by power and still stepped into this game, thinking he had the ability to break it. As a result, he became more and more deeply involved and couldn't extricate himself. And now, you are also blinded by hatred and are also contributing to this game. Can't you see who the real enemy is?"

"It's not that I can't see it, but Li Dachui's scheme is a blatant conspiracy. Na Wei and I have to decide a winner first, and only the winner can stay on the chessboard and continue the game!"

"So you accepted all the support from the Northern Protectorate without hesitation, and then fought endlessly with Na Wei. Have you ever thought that by the time the two of you have decided who is the victor, there will be no place for you on the chessboard anymore?"

Xiang Zhuang gave Linghu Ye a strange look and said, "General, Li Dachui is in Beiting. If someone has to leave the table first in this game, it will be either him or you, right? Although Xiang Zhuang is weak, he might be able to hold out until the end!"

Linghu Ye didn't refute, but nodded and said, "What you said is indeed right. I might be the first to lose, which is why I came here! But if you and Na Wei continue to fight, I'm afraid Jiang Qian will lead her troops south. Do you think you will lose to Li Dachui? No, you will lose to Jiang Qian first!"

"So, Commander Linghu has come here hoping that I will cease hostilities with Na Weixian and make peace?"

“Indeed!” Linghu Ye said, “The current situation is quite clear. Li Dachui has indeed gained a significant advantage. At this point, the weaker side should unite to cut off the wings of the stronger side and try to weaken the opponent. Only in this way can this game continue. Otherwise, we will be swept aside by the opponent! In that case, we will all be losers!”

"I never imagined that Commander Linghu would think he's inferior to Li Dachui now!" Xiang Zhuang exclaimed in surprise.

"Although I don't want to admit it, it's the truth, and we have no choice but to face it!" Linghu Ye sighed, "Now I truly understand what it means to raise a tiger to cause trouble! Xiang Zhuang, we must first eliminate Jiang Qian and destroy Li Dachui's trump card in Jiangnan, otherwise everyone will be in trouble!"

"You mean we should join forces and eliminate Jiang Qian first?"

“That’s right!” Linghu Ye said. “Jiang Qian is our enemy!”

Do you think Na Wei would agree to a three-way alliance?

“That’s why I’m here to negotiate in person!” Linghu Ye said, “If this matter succeeds, the situation of Qin and Chu ruling separately along the river can continue. At that time, whether you and Na Wei fight to the death or tolerate each other for the sake of the country is your business. As for me, I can concentrate on dealing with Li Dachui!”

(End of this chapter)