Chapter 216: Sowing a Seed in Spring, Reaping a Thousandfold in Autumn
“The large boat I was on with Guo Jing was attacked by a group of men in black. Someone tried to capture me, so I jumped into the Yangtze River. I need to find him and my elder brother.”
When Hua Zheng woke up, she saw Zhou Yan and a kind-faced High Monk from India. Seeing that she was wearing Han Chinese clothes, she instinctively reached for a knife to fight.
Zhou Yan’s words, “I know Guo Jing,” calmed Hua Zheng. He then explained the events that had transpired: seeing them by the river, the High Monk from India’s rescue, and the innkeeper’s wife helping her rest.
Hua Zheng suddenly understood that it was a misunderstanding. Her Chinese was not very fluent, but simple conversation was fine. She concisely recounted the events on the river.
Hua Zheng had martial arts skills, and after Zhou Yan used his Internal Force to relax her muscles and activate her collaterals, she was no longer in any serious condition.
After a simple explanation from both sides, Hua Zheng wanted to find Guo Jing. Zhou Yan said, “I’ll take you.”
“Thank you, Hero Zhou.”
“You’re welcome.”
Liu Qingzhou and Yanbo Diaosou were waiting at the inn, chatting with the High Monk from India about matters concerning the Western Regions and India. Zhou Yan, with Hua Zheng, rode along the river to search.
The incident occurred near the mouth of Poyang Lake as it entered the Yangtze River. Zhou Yan searched along the Yangtze River in the direction of Jiangzhou.
“Guo Jing!”
“Brother Guo.”
Hua Zheng’s voice was swallowed by the river waves and wind. Zhou Yan mustered his Internal Force and shouted. His voice was like thunder, capable of traveling several miles, startling the birds and beasts on the riverbanks into scattering.
More than ten miles away, a voice echoed, filled with anxiety and a hint of crying.
“Young Lady Hua Zheng.”
The cold wind howled, and the fine snow fell like a curtain. Guo Jing stumbled forward, with Tolay, Zhebie, Ke Zhen’e, and others scattered behind him. Han Xiaoying and Zhu Cong thought Hua Zheng had already met her end, but Guo Jing was persistent in his search, so they followed.
The Old Urchin followed Guo Jing at a leisurely pace.
After leaving Peach Blossom Island, Zhou Botong naturally intended to go to Zhongnan Mountain first. He was staying at the inn by the wharf. Being a person who enjoyed excitement and causing trouble, upon hearing the commotion, Zhou Botong took a fishing boat and rowed over. He leaped onto the mast and sat there watching. It was only when Guo Jing used Quanzhen Swordplay that he spoke to inquire.
Guo Jing, in a daze, was thinking of jumping into the river to search, but Zhou Botong stopped him and drove the people from the Iron Palm Sect off the boat. Guo Jing bowed in thanks and replied to Zhou Botong’s question, saying he had learned martial arts from Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji, and others. He then anxiously went ashore to search. The Old Urchin, wanting to know the current situation of Qiu Chuji and the others, followed him like a shadow.
“Hey, young Guo, the girl you’re looking for is already dead. And why would Ma Yu teach Quanzhen Internal Energy in the desert?”
“I’ll see her alive or find her body,” Guo Jing said, his eyes scarlet, word by word.
“You’re an idiot.”
“In the desert, they all said I was very foolish.”
“Haha, interesting. Someone actually admits to being foolish. You’re much more interesting than Huang Laoxie or Huang Xiaoxie.”
“Hey, why don’t you ask who Huang Laoxie and Huang Xiaoxie are?”
“It’s more important for a junior to find someone.”
“Why don’t you ask me how I know Quanzhen Swordplay? Ask me!”
Guo Jing’s mind was in a mess, and he didn’t know how to respond. Suddenly, the Old Urchin said, “Young Guo, someone is calling you.”
“Please don’t joke, Elder.”
The Old Urchin puffed out his beard and glared. “Your martial arts are weak, and your senses are limited, so naturally, you can’t hear.”
Guo Jing understood this logic and quickly stopped, turning around to ask, “Who is it?”
Their conversation had only lasted a few breaths when a faint sound could be heard in the river wind. Guo Jing listened intently, and the sound grew clearer. Suddenly, a woman’s voice was mixed in.
“Guo Jing!”
“Young Lady Hua Zheng,” Guo Jing said joyfully, shouting, “Hua Zheng!”
“Guo Jing!” the woman’s voice replied. Tolay, Zhebie, and the others also shouted loudly. In an instant, the riverbank was filled with voices.
Zhou Yan heard the sound and reined in his horse. “Night-Shining Jade Lion” slowed its pace. Hua Zheng flicked her whip, and her Qingcong horse galloped like lightning, forming a white whirlwind behind them with the strong wind and heavy snow.
…
The sound of hooves was urgent, and the fine horses galloped like shooting stars. In Guo Jing’s line of sight, the Qingcong horse sped closer. As the distance closed, he saw Hua Zheng leap off the horse and stride forward.
“Guo Jing, I’ve been searching for you so hard. How are you? I’m perfectly fine.”
Hua Zheng held Guo Jing’s hands, crying and laughing.
“Senior Zhou rescued us.”
“I was also rescued by a Hero. Hero Zhou said he knows you and is right behind us.”
Tolay, Zhebie, Ke Zhen’e, and the others looked in the direction Hua Zheng indicated. In the distance, a fine horse, whiter than snow, was approaching.
One could tell who it was just by looking at the horse, without seeing the rider’s face.
Guo Jing said joyfully, “It’s Brother Guo.”
“Brother Guo, long time no see.”
Zhou Yan dismounted and walked forward quickly. While Hua Zheng took the opportunity to concisely tell Tolay and the others about her rescue.
Guo Jing stepped forward to kneel and thank him, but Zhou Yan quickly supported him, saying, “We are brothers, no need for such formalities.”
“Mm!” Guo Jing’s eyes were red, and he was speechless.
Ke Zhen’e stepped forward and said, “Thank you, Benefactor Zhou. We invite Benefactor and the blind ones to drink with us and forge a friendship.”
“It’s better to accept than to refuse.”
“Hey kid, nice horse, let me play with it for a while.” A voice full of irreverence suddenly came from a few yards away, where a short old man with long hair, a long beard, and long eyebrows stood.
Zhou Yan inwardly chuckled. It was Zhou Botong. Huang Yaoshi, having obtained Chongyang’s Inscription, had indeed allowed the Old Urchin to leave Peach Blossom Island.
“Okay.”
The Old Urchin let out a whoop and leaped onto “Night-Shining Jade Lion,” galloping away like lightning.
…
Between Poyang Lake and Jiangzhou, there were numerous wharves. Zhou Yan, Guo Jing, and the others found an inn near a wharf to stay.
Zhu Cong asked a shop assistant to bring wine and food to their guest room. The group pushed two square tables together and sat around them.
One bowl of wine warmed their bodies, and two bowls opened up conversation. Zhou Yan asked, “Where are Brother Guo and the others heading?”
Guo Jing did not treat him as an outsider and said, “The Great Khan has summoned me, Tolay Anda, and others back to the desert.”
“Mm, I know about that.”
“It was the Great Khan’s instruction for us to go to the Lin’an Court to discuss a joint attack on Song.”
“Is that so?” Zhou Yan nodded slightly, thinking that it was exactly as he had guessed.
“Then we encountered an accident on the Yangtze River,” Guo Jing added.
“It must be related to Wanyan Honglie and Yang Kang,” Zhou Yan said.
“What do you mean?” Guo Jing asked, confused.
The Masterstroke Scholar Zhu Cong, only now realizing, said, “The scoundrels were prepared. They specifically targeted the large boat carrying Jing’er, Princess Hua Zheng, and Prince Tolay. Their actions were deliberate and obvious.”
“But how did they know our whereabouts, Master and the others?”
Zhou Yan smiled and said, “Huo Du held a Heroes’ Banquet, and Ouyang Ke and his nephew appeared. If Yang Kang had a few scouts in the city, it wouldn’t be difficult to track our movements.”
Ke Zhen’e nodded. “That’s indeed the case.”
“Wanyan Honglie, that scoundrel, is cunning. Once Kaifeng Prefecture is taken, I will take his head,” Guo Jing said indignantly.
Zhou Yan poured wine, and as they drank, he said, “I have something to say. I wonder if it is appropriate?”
Ke Zhen’e quickly said, “We blind ones and Benefactor are close friends. Speak freely.”
“Exactly!” Zhu Cong poured wine and smiled. “Benefactor’s foresight is truly admirable. Wanyan Honglie’s ascension to the throne and Yang Kang’s betrayal were all foreseen by Benefactor.”
Zhou Yan smiled. “Then I shall speak without reservation.”
“We are all ears.”
“For the deep-seated hatred, it is only natural and satisfying for Brother Guo to kill Wanyan Honglie. But has Brother Guo considered that once the Mongol Great Khan and the Lin’an Court join forces to attack Jin, and Jin is destroyed, if the Great Khan continues his campaign southward, crossing the river and intending to destroy the Lin’an Court?”
Guo Jing said without hesitation, “The Great Khan keeps his word. Since he has allied with the Lin’an Court to destroy Jin, he will not break his promise.”
Ke Zhen’e pondered for a moment and slowly said, “The Mongols indeed value their promises.”
“Those who make light promises are often untrustworthy. I don’t think so,” Zhu Cong said.
“Not to mention far away, when the Mongol Army besieged Zhongdu, Brother Guo did not expect the Great Khan to massacre the city. Therefore, nothing is absolute.” Zhou Yan smiled and said slowly, “If Lin’an and Mongolia join forces to destroy Jin, in other words, can it be understood that with Jin’s demise, the alliance ceases to exist, and the Great Khan is no longer bound by his promise?”
A single stone stirred up a thousand ripples, suddenly awakening those in a dream.
Zhu Cong spun the wine bowl in his hand like a juggler. Thinking deeply, he asked, “What does Benefactor mean?”
“After the Mongols conquered Zhongdu, Brother Guo was rewarded by the Great Khan as Commander of Ten Thousand. If this negotiation is successful, there will surely be further rewards. Once Jin is destroyed, it’s not impossible for Brother Guo to be made a Prince. What if the Great Khan then asks Brother Guo to lead an army to attack Song?”
Guo Jing exclaimed, “Ah, the Great Khan did say that.”
Ke Zhen’e quickly asked, “When?”
“To Master, when the Great Khan wanted to massacre Zhongdu, and Jing’er pleaded for mercy, the Great Khan said that in the future, Jing’er would be rewarded with a city for each city he took. If he captured Kaifeng Prefecture and took Wanyan Honglie’s head, he would marry Young Lady Hua Zheng and be made Prince of Song.”
“Were there any other statements?”
Guo Jing shook his head.
Ke Zhen’e was relieved.
Zhu Cong pondered for a moment, then said, “What if that day truly comes?”
Guo Jing quickly said, “How could Jing’er be the Prince of Song and lead troops to fight the Han Chinese? I would definitely resign my military post, take my mother to Zhongdu to live with Uncle Yang and the others. Being an Escort in Fu’an would also be fine.”
Zhou Yan inwardly chuckled. He thought, this is minor righteousness, but there is also Major Principles.
