Chapter Seventeen: Meeting the King of Yan

  Minamata Port

  The turbulent river water rolls from east to west.

  A long camp was set up on both banks of the river, and the northern camp across the river was unusually silent. The tiger-like northern army had become extremely exhausted, while at this moment, by the river, a majestic general rode his warhorse, standing still on the riverbank.

  This man has a tiger's back and bear's waist, his five senses are as sharp as if carved by a knife, his eyes stare at the turbulent river water, looking around with pride.

  "Your Highness." Standing beside the war horse was a monk, dressed in simple attire, looking somewhat comical: "The latest news is that Sheng Yong and others are gathering troops again in Yangzhou to try and fight once more."

  "The Emperor knows." The general let out a sigh, his brow furrowed even deeper: "The Emperor has been at war for twenty years, never once faltering in the face of great difficulties. Since rising up to quell the chaos, he has achieved countless military successes, alas, it's a pity."

  "Does Your Highness want to say that you have swept across the land, but can't overcome this natural barrier of the Yangtze River?"

  By the monk's side was precisely the King of Yan, who sneered to himself and his eyes remained bright and spirited: "Yes, as long as I'm on horseback, no one can stop me. However, riding a horse won't get you across the river... that little brat Zhu Yunwen proposed to rule by drawing boundaries along the rivers..."

  The monk said coldly, "Your Highness can't see that this is Zhu Yunwen's delaying tactic? If you don't advance on Nanjing, the Jingnan campaign will be without a name. The hearts of people all over the world are in Nanjing. If Your Highness compromises, defeat and death will come in no time."

  The King of Yan burst out laughing: "I was just joking, but now that things have come to this, crossing the river will mean conquering the world, and if we can't cross, then all we'll get is death. What's there to fear about death?" He swung his whip boldly forward, pointing at the opposite bank of the river, saying: "I must cross the river!"

  The monk said, "A year ago, I had anticipated that the Yan army might cross the river, so I ordered Ling Xue to lie in wait at Zhenjiang. The only thing I didn't know was whether she could persuade Lu Feng. Lu Feng and Your Highness had a past relationship; if he is willing to surrender, then everything will be settled."

  "Alas, it's difficult," said the King of Yan. "Although Lu Feng has some connections with me, his temperament is something I'm familiar with. At this moment, he has the upper hand and won't easily surrender. As for Ling Xue, this young girl is still too naive. It might be enough to let her gather information, but it's not easy to get her to persuade Lu Feng."

  Just then, suddenly saw countless boats coming out of the water village on the opposite side of the river. The first ship had the words "Water General Lu" written on it.

  The King of Yan was shocked and couldn't help but say, "Could it be that they want to cross the river and attack? No, Lu Feng would have to be crazy to do that. They are fierce tigers on the other side of the river, and once they cross, they will not be able to withstand a single blow."

  The monk said: "Your Highness, look at the white sail hanging on that boat, they are coming to surrender!"

  The King of Yan couldn't help but feel excited, and in one swift motion, he dismounted his horse and trudged through the muddy waters until they reached above his knees. He gazed out into the distance, took a long deep breath, and his tiger-like eyes shone with radiance: "Heaven blesses this lonely king!"

  ………………

  Hao Feng Lou was taken to the camp and placed under house arrest. He had already anticipated that Lu Feng would have no choice but to surrender, so although he was detained, his mood wasn't bad. When it was time to eat, he ate; when it was time to sleep, he slept. Several soldiers searched him, fearing he might be hiding a blade on his body, and instead found the "Tender Wife Like Clouds" book. One of the soldiers asked: "What is this book?"

  Hao Feng Lou replied lightly: "A good book."

  The soldier couldn't read, but he called an old clerk who could read from the camp. The old clerk was boiling with rage and his white beard trembling after reading the book. In the end, he still returned the book to Hao Feng Lou, sighing: "Young people have no benefit in reading too many books like this."

  Hao Fenglou laughed more bitterly than him, being confined here, with no other entertainment, only having a book like this, thinking it would be beneficial to his body and mind was also impossible.

  Several days passed in succession.

  The snow has finally arrived.

  Watching Hao Feng Lou leaning against the bed, reading a book, I couldn't help but have some respect for him. At this time, he still had the mood to read books. Before, I thought he was good in every way, except that his character was a bit unorthodox. Now it seems that being frivolous is just his appearance.

  People who read books always inspire a subtle respect.

  Ling Xue's face was covered with a smile, and she said excitedly: "The King of Yan has arrived at the large camp after heading south."

  "Is that so?" Hao Feng Lou hastily hid the book and calmly said: "What's the situation, can I now regain my freedom?"

  Ling Xue recounted the events, and after Lu Feng returned to the camp, he made a prompt decision. He immediately led the boats across the river, and the King of Yan welcomed him with open arms, holding Lu Feng's hand and saying, "The life-saving grace of Director Lu is etched in my heart."

  Hao Feng Lou heard this and thought to himself: "If it weren't for me, where would he have gotten the chance to stay alive?"

  "At that time, King Yan did not know." Ling Xue explained patiently.

  "Did you know afterwards?"

  Ling Xue solemnly said: "The Yan army has crossed the river in large numbers, I personally went to see the King of Yan, explained the situation, and the King of Yan is very interested in you. He said that he did not expect that there would be such an extraordinary person in Zhenjiang."

  Hao Feng Lou said: "What can the King of Yan say he wants to reward me with?"

  It's no wonder that Hao Feng Lou is anxious, he's most afraid of being like Yan Wang and the former Hao Feng Lou, who after having their way with him would discard him without giving him any money. As a weak scholar and a disabled second-generation heir, how could he possibly arm himself to demand payment?

  Ling Xue smiled and said: "The prince wants to see you."

  See me?

  Hao Feng Lou was somewhat surprised and said: "When can I see you?"

  "Now."

  Hao Feng Lou was speechless.

  The king of Yan summoned him beyond his expectation, for although he was confident that he had indeed made achievements, the king of Yan had just established himself in Zhenjiang and was busy with many tasks, so it was unlikely that he would have any leisure time to see him now.

  But thinking again, it's also reasonable. Although I don't know how King Yan persuaded Lu Feng to surrender in history, now that Lu Feng has surrendered, it has a great deal to do with myself. If it weren't for me, King Yan might have died without a burial place. Such a great merit, perhaps others may not know, but would King Yan not know?

  Hao Feng Lou didn't mince words and said to Ling Xue: "Since that's the case, let's go see King Yan."

  There was a hint of expectation in his heart, and Hao Fenglou seemed eager to sing a song to show that he was about to soar to great heights.

  But King Yan's summons has its advantages and disadvantages.

  If you make a great contribution, the reward will be fixed if it is directly awarded. However, once summoned, the amount of the reward may depend entirely on the impression that Yan Wang has of oneself. Master taught me to analyze and infer every woman's mind, women's emotions are very unstable, if they are happy, everything can be entrusted to each other, but if they have a bad feeling, they would rather you suffer misfortune.

  This psychological analysis also applies to men, and Hao Feng Lou couldn't help but take this summons more seriously than usual.

  Ling Xue looked up and down at Hao Feng Lou, saying: "Your clothes are all tattered and worn out, and your body is also dirty, it's better to bathe and change first before meeting the King of Yan."

  Hao Fenglou shook his head and said, "No need to, Prince Yan is busy with state affairs every day, we shouldn't delay his work." But in his heart, he thought, if I go see Prince Yan looking all refreshed and spirited, how can I show that I have both merits and hardships? The first impression people get of you is very important, at this time the more disheveled the better.

  Ling Xue didn't quite understand, but she also felt that Hao Feng Lou's words made sense, so she said, "Then let's set off."

  They got on a horse-drawn carriage and after an unknown period of time, they arrived at a large camp. Hao Feng Lou was about to enter when Ling Xue stopped him: "Wait."

  Hao Feng Lou stopped in his tracks, and Ling Xue's face was slightly flushed as he smoothed out Hao Feng Lou's sleeves: "Too wrinkled, you always do this without regard for details, what will happen in the future? Be careful with your words after we go in."

  Hao Feng Lou nodded and took a deep breath before entering the main tent.

  As soon as he entered the main hall, a foul smell filled the air, which was the smell of salted fish. Hao Fenglou thought he had walked into the wrong place and rubbed his eyes, but when he opened them again, he felt a chill run down his spine.

  The account in the lamp fire is clear, inside there is a burly man wearing casual clothes, looking like a butcher, sitting upright on a chair, with his feet resting in a copper basin in front of the chair, and the basin is emitting hot steam.

  Foot bath...

  Is this the King of Yan?

  Your Majesty King Yan, is this how you summon me? You don't respect intellectuals!

  The King of Yan was enjoying his foot bath, while a monk sat on the side, who was born ugly but pretended to be content because he was also soaking his feet.

  And on the edge of the copper basin there is also a pair of stinky boots and cloth strips for wrapping feet.

  Hao Feng Lou was chilled to the bone.

  Zhu Dian saw Hao Feng Lou enter and laughed: "Is it Master Hao? I've been quite rude."

  Hao Feng Lou could only say: "The student has seen Your Highness."

  Zhu Dian nodded, sizing up Hao Feng Lou, seemingly thinking that Hao Feng Lou was too young. Originally, he had summoned Hao Feng Lou just to test him, but seeing how young Hao Feng Lou looked, he couldn't help but feel doubtful. Was this person really the one Ling Xue had spoken of, the one who had spread rumors and even deceived the imperial court? The one who had assassinated the imperial court's secret agent and persuaded Lu Feng's scholar?

  Zhu Dian's heart was filled with doubts, and he exchanged a glance with the monk. He burst out laughing and said: "Good, heroes emerge in youth." He immediately continued: "When I, the lonely king, am in Beiping, most of the time I wear boots to go in and out. These boots are heavy and often chafe my feet, so I have a habit of soaking them. Mr. Hao, why don't you give it a try?" Without giving Hao Fenglou a chance to refuse, he gave a signal with his eyes to the attendant beside him.

  The waiter brings over a copper basin and also carries over a chair.

  Hao Fenglou couldn't help but laugh and cry, so he simply became generous and took off his shoes and socks. He had been under house arrest in the military camp for several days without washing or combing his hair, and his feet were also extremely smelly. Suddenly, the smell was so strong that it made Yan Wang and the monk dizzy. Hao Fenglou thought to himself: "At least I didn't suffer a loss."

  His feet soaked in hot water, and his words became more numerous. Zhu Di said faintly: "Hao Gongzi, are you from Songjiang?"

  Hao Feng Lou said: "Yes."

  "Is it true that you are a descendant of Hao Shilang?"

  Hao Feng Lou's grandfather was indeed an official who served as a servant, Hao Feng Lou nodded.

  Zhu Dian sighed, "The lonely king and your ancestor also had a few encounters." He didn't pursue it further, but Hao Fenglou vaguely sensed that his grandfather probably didn't get along with Zhu Dian, otherwise why would he only mention it briefly.

  Zhu Dian's eyes sank, his gaze turned deep and mysterious, and he said lightly: "You are also a descendant of a famous family, with such a family background, why do you want to serve the Lonely King?"

  Zhu Dian's single sword pierced straight in, quite sharp and fierce.

  From Hao Feng Lou's various performances, Zhu Di doesn't believe that Hao Feng Lou is just going to pursue Lu Xiangjiao so simply. He thinks this is Hao Feng Lou with ulterior motives, and the motive is to assist himself in seizing Zhenjiang.

  But why did this young man have to be like this, Zhu Di couldn't understand.

  Hao Fenglou let out a sigh of relief in his heart, knowing that the crucial moment had arrived.

  He hesitated for a moment: "Because the King of Yan will surely win." As he said this, Hao Fenglou's old face couldn't help but flush slightly, still not thick-skinned enough.

  The King of Yan looked at the monk with a mixture of surprise and doubt. In Jiangnan, Zhu Di was seen by most people as a rebel who would eventually be defeated. In fact, not to mention others, even the King of Yan himself did not believe in the argument that he would surely win. However, now a young man was telling him that he would surely win without a doubt. Zhu Di's curiosity was suddenly piqued, and he found this young man quite interesting. He calmly asked, "Is that so? Since you say that I will surely win, then I want to test you. Why must I win?"