Hidden Shadow – CH 239

Chapter Two-Hundred-Thirty-Nine: A Surge in Popularity

When Chu Dingjiang and An Jiu appeared before Ling Ziyue simultaneously, his weary expression vanished, and he eagerly asked, “What were the results of the investigation?”

“Twenty blue-fire crossbows were hidden in the cellar of Xijin Prefecture,” Chu Dingjiang said in a deep voice. “I do not understand the structure of these crossbows. Although I can move freely within Xijin Prefecture, I cannot destroy them myself. General, you should request the court to send someone who can dismantle them.”

An Jiu understood. Blue-fire crossbows were somewhat like bombs, requiring expert dismantling. Randomly tinkering with them might lead to premature detonation. Chu Dingjiang had the world in his heart, but he had not yet reached the noble level of sacrificing himself for the world.

“The Armory…sigh!” Ling Ziyue sighed heavily. “Thank you both!”

The Armory really could not find such talent!

The Song Dynasty valued “craftsmanship,” but it was ultimately a secondary path, unlike orthodox Confucianism. Entering officialdom still required passing the imperial examinations, so many people, even those with talent in this area, abandoned it.

After finishing his explanation, Chu Dingjiang was about to leave when he noticed An Jiu seemingly trying to get closer, so he stopped to wait for her.

“I know someone very knowledgeable about this,” An Jiu said, thinking of Lou Xiaowu. “Lou…”

“Even if the General knows this person, he probably will not dare to speak up,” Chu Dingjiang interrupted An Jiu, turning to Ling Ziyue. “The General just needs to clearly explain the seriousness of this matter, and the top officials will find the right person.”

Ling Ziyue nodded, but his gaze lingered on An Jiu for a moment.

Seeing this, Chu Dingjiang reminded him, “A general should be ruthless, unjust, indifferent to profit, and unseeking fame. I hope the general understands.”

Being indifferent to profit and fame was easy to understand, but what Ling Ziyue did not understand was, “What does ‘ruthless and unjust’ mean?”

“A general must be even more ruthless. The general is prepared to die on the battlefield. Those below should be even more so. Benevolence is what the Emperor should do! So-called unjust does not mean the general should lack loyalty, but rather that in the face of great battle, one cannot be driven by loyalty.”

Chu Dingjiang stared at him and said, “Ruthless, calm, indifferent to personal fame and gain, and not blinded by loyalty—General Ling can do that.”

Chu Dingjiang’s words were like a thunderbolt. Ling Ziyue’s muddled mind suddenly cleared.

The Emperor’s fear of him was not solely due to the size of his army but also to the unwavering defense of the borders, which had earned him the respect and admiration of the people. He feared his reputation within the army; the founding Emperor, a mere military general, had overthrown the previous dynasty. How could the Emperor not worry about someone following suit and seizing the Zhao family’s throne?

Ling Ziyue broke out in a cold sweat. Over the years, he had felt he had done well, and deep down, he harbored resentment towards the Emperor’s suspicions. But now… his downfall stemmed from doing too well!

The Emperor wanted a sharp blade, not a renowned war god!

Thinking back carefully, he realized he had been somewhat concerned with how history would record his achievements. The Emperor’s suspicions had been fueled by his desire to win the hearts of the people. It turned out… he had been utterly wrong from the very beginning.

Ling Ziyue, as if receiving a lecture, respectfully bowed, “Thank you for your guidance, senior.” Chu Dingjiang nodded and led An Jiu away.

“So, according to you, General Ling’s popularity is off the charts, and the Emperor is actually quite aggrieved?” An Jiu asked.

“Off the charts?”

“It’s like the cheers that practically lift the roof off the place when he appears.”

“That’s an interesting way to put it,” Chu Dingjiang said. “But it has nothing to do with his popularity. A useless person sitting at the pinnacle of power, how could he not feel aggrieved?”

Chu Dingjiang found the current Emperor’s actions utterly appalling. “A perfectly good empire, instead of thinking about how to destroy Liao and Western Xia, he’s preoccupied with cultivating immortality! He’s ruined the Daoist tradition! He cannot even control his generals, and now he’s suspicious and wary of them!”

An Jiu wholeheartedly agreed, but she wondered, “Why destroy Western Xia?”

In her memory, was that not a formidable enemy?

“Where there are nations, there is conflict. Every visible nation should be annexed; that’s what an Emperor should do,” Chu Dingjiang said matter-of-factly.

An Jiu thought to herself, “Those from the Warring States period are indeed different; their aggressive mentality is so strong!”

“Why did you not let me speak earlier?” An Jiu temporarily set aside the matter of the invasion. “If Lou Xiaowu could help, she could save many lives.”

Chu Dingjiang said, “The relationship between the Emperor and General Ling is delicate; it is as if a single thread could snap. If General Ling could find out about the Konghe family and accurately pinpoint the person skilled in manufacturing weapons, what do you think the Emperor would think?”

“It’s his business if he wants to speak.” An Jiu did not know Ling Ziyue well, but a general who could endure suspicion and shed all his blood on the frontier, whether out of benevolence or a desire for fame, would probably not mind bearing deeper suspicion for the sake of thousands of soldiers’ lives.

Chu Dingjiang laughed, “You are the one who’s unbenevolent, unjust, indifferent to fame, and unprofitable! You do things that harm others without benefiting yourself, and you do them with such self-righteousness.”

An Jiu pouted.

“Do not be so unconvinced. This time, if Ling Ziyue specifically requested Lou Xiaowu, saving the lives of countless soldiers, but Ling Ziyue will be killed by the Emperor sooner or later,” Chu Dingjiang looked at her with a smile. “Guess how many people will die when the Liao cavalry tramples the Song Dynasty after Ling Ziyue dies?”

An Jiu’s expression slowly turned serious. She thought about it carefully and agreed with Chu Dingjiang in her heart, but still refused to back down. “That’s because the whole Song Dynasty is too effeminate. Can they not live without a man? What does that have to do with me!”

“Hahaha!” Chu Dingjiang reached out and pulled her into his arms, vigorously ruffling her hair. “Ah Jiu, you are really interesting.”

The Song Dynasty had plenty of spirited men; it was not impossible to cultivate a second Ling Ziyue, but there certainly would not be enough time.

As they were talking, Chu Dingjiang noticed several people approaching and released An Jiu.

An Jiu did not have time to pay attention. With her messy hair, she turned to see Gao Dazhuang and his group approaching.

Gao Dazhuang looked at her and said in a sarcastic, high-pitched voice, “Oh, has she completely gone mad?”

An Jiu’s attention, however, remained fixed on the two women traveling with them.

They were the Dangerous Moon agents they had rescued by chance in Xijin Prefecture.

The two agents of Dangerous Moons also saw An Jiu. One of them, a veiled girl in blue, bowed and said, “So our benefactor is a colleague! Thank you for saving us!”

Chu Dingjiang was usually calm and taciturn in front of strangers, but An Jiu was practically mute when she was with him, relying entirely on him to speak. She could not stay silent! Chu Dingjiang sighed and replied on her behalf, “It was nothing.”

“My Lord, these two are going to join the battle,” Gao Dazhuang said.

Chu Dingjiang said, “This is your responsibility; no need to ask me.”

Gao Dazhuang did not flatter him anymore, sighed, and said to the two girls, “I will introduce you to the general. The rest is up to you.”

The two women clasped their hands and said, “Thank you, My Lord.”

The day of the Dangerous Moon¹ was inauspicious; all camp construction would be unfavorable, with more disaster than good fortune, and things likely to turn into calamities. The missions undertaken by the Dangerous Moon mostly involved risking their lives; success usually meant death, and failure also meant death.

These two agents of Dangerous Moon had failed in their assassination attempt on Yelu Jinglie, and the outcome was predictable. They fled desperately, not to survive, but to save their lives and to kill a few more Liao people.