Section 7

Are you not afraid of being beheaded

As the merchant spoke, Huang Shi took out a pen and paper to jot down the notes. After verifying the accuracy, he stood up and asked, "May I open the window to have another look at Liaoyang City?"

Then Huang Shi did not close the window and coldly said to the merchant: "Your Excellency, would you like to take a final look at Liaoyang City?"

My elder informed me that General Li is a loyal friend, and furthermore, it is customary not to harm envoys during warfare between nations

During dinner, Li Yongfang invited Huang Shi to join him for a meal. After the two of them had settled in as host and guest, Huang Shi, seated at the lower end, found the dishes to be abundant and the wine exquisite. After three rounds of drinks, Li Yongfang clapped his hands to summon the songstress to perform in the hall, showcasing a variety of beauties, both plump and slender. When one of the songstresses came to toast, Huang Shi was momentarily stunned, finding her even more beautiful than the maid he had seen the day before, and he was unable to lift his wine cup.

The merchant finished speaking and took the child outside. After a while, he returned alone, saying: "My son has gone to bid farewell to his mother, elder brother, and sisters. I will trouble you for this journey."

Seeing that Huangshi was not very clear, Li Kaifang did not ask further. In their conversation, there was no mention of the military situation or troop strength in Guangning, nor did they bring up his journey to Liaoyang. After casually saying a few more words, Li Yongfang called for the guards, instructing them to take Huangshi down and make proper arrangements.

This idiom momentarily stunned Li Yongfang, who then put down his beard and burst into laughter: "Indeed, not killing the envoy, just as it is, sit!" As he spoke, Li Yongfang inwardly cursed, what a crude and uneducated military man you are, what kind of envoy do you think you are, clearly just a spy.

After bowing towards Huangshi, the merchant placed a letter of silver coins on the table: "A modest sum of money, please accept it with a smile."

Bring it in

Upon arriving here, Huang Shi, who had been casually observing along the way, found his heart as clear as a mirror, filled only with bursts of cold laughter directed at Wang Huazhen. Hearing the commands coming from inside, he quickly composed himself and followed the soldiers inside

"Huang Shi, since you are here, stay for a few days. Once I have considered everything thoroughly, we can make further plans at that time." Li Yongfang's words brought Huang Shi back from his reverie, and he repeatedly agreed. Seeing that it was getting late, Li Yongfang chose two other singers to accompany Huang Shi back, and these two were no less impressive than the one who had just served the wine.

Please take a seat and wait a moment

The merchant hurriedly left after speaking, and before a cup of tea had cooled, he returned with a boy, approximately ten years old. The merchant placed both hands on the child's shoulders and said: "This is my young son. I hope you can take him to Guangning to preserve our ancestral lineage. The entire Que family is deeply grateful for your kindness."

Thank you, Your Excellency

"Very well, I shall arrange it immediately," said the merchant, rubbing his hands together and glancing around. "However, I have one more humble request."

Li Yongfang's sharp gaze lingered on Huang Shi for a long time: "How dare you come here in broad daylight?"

This time, Li Yongfang rewarded him with a gold ingot and also conveyed a few words. After Huang Shi bowed in compliance, he left the prince's residence and returned along the same route to the merchant's doorstep

As soon as he heard the door close behind him, Huang Shi immediately knelt down in front of the desk and bowed, saying: "General Li, I have brought the message as promised."

After Huang Shi expressed his gratitude, he sat down at the edge of a chair. After bowing his head for a long time, he lifted his eyelids slightly and happened to meet Li Yongfang's gaze. He quickly lowered his head even further.

My ambition is to conquer the world; for this, I cannot have the slightest hesitation or doubt. Huang Shi once again confirmed his goal in his heart, and then he knocked on the brass ring of the door

Please present it.

Li Yongfang casually inquired about the situation in Guangning. Sun Degong responded with a composed demeanor and posture, while Huang Shi answered fluently, without any hesitation. Then, Li Yongfang asked about Huang Shi's observations and experiences along the way, as well as the local people's livelihoods and sentiments. However, these questions left Huang Shi speechless, unable to articulate his thoughts.

In the room, the scent of sandalwood lingered faintly, and the gauze curtains resembled wisps of smoke. This stay lasted for three days, during which two maidservants accompanied Huang Shi throughout the estate. Although there were many places he knew he could not visit, by the time Li Yongfang summoned him again, the sights he had seen still left him wanting more

Huang Shi was momentarily taken aback, then stood up with a smile to put away the silver, saying calmly, "To decline would be impolite; I feel unworthy to accept it."

He walked over and pushed open the window, allowing Huang Shi to take in the entire market before him. He comforted himself in his heart, saying: "I am certain that I will achieve greatness; I have no doubt about it. No matter the sacrifice, I can compensate for it. For the sake of millions of Han people, the sacrifice of a few individuals is simply unavoidable."

The merchant, upon seeing Huang Shi return, was both surprised and delighted. He quickly led him to the inner chamber and called for the maidservants to bring tea. After much anticipation, once Huang Shi was seated and had taken a sip of water, he eagerly asked: "How did the matters you were to attend to in Liaoyang go?"

Huang Shi observed the child for a moment; the boy's lips were tightly pressed, his hands clenched at his sides, and his youthful face revealed an interesting expression of determination. Huang Shi sighed inwardly: "Very well, your highness, I am indeed deeply moved by your noble intentions; this matter is certainly not a problem."

Although there is still some bitterness in my heart, it is finally a great relief. The merchant forced a smile and said: "Your Excellency, please take a seat, allow me to explain slowly..."

But please go ahead, I am all ears

The humble one thinks that General Li's residence must be heavily guarded at night, with many eyes and ears present. The humble one came during the day, which the general could not have anticipated, and even more so, others could not have imagined.

Mission accomplished

A look of surprise flashed in Li Yongfang's eagle-like eyes as he asked, "What is your name?"

Without making Huang Shi wait long, a soldier in blue emerged from the entrance. The round breastplate on his chest gleamed brightly, and his cotton armor was neatly embedded with diamond-shaped metal pieces. On his feet were brand new, shiny black military boots. He did not scrutinize Huang Shi, merely said淡淡地: "Follow me." He turned and walked inside, and Huang Shi quickly hurried to catch up.

Huang Shi obediently looked up to observe this old friend of Nurhaci. The man had a square head and large ears, with a long beard on his chin, and his thick eyebrows and big eyes exuded a certain manly demeanor. Li Yongfang stroked his beard and looked at Huang Shi for a while, squinting his eyes before opening the wax seal to read the letter. After a moment, he chuckled and said, "What audacity, to dare visit in broad daylight with such a detailed plan and books."

Huang Shi, who stood up at the sound, took a wax seal from his bosom, approached with both hands cradling it, and respectfully placed it on the desk, retreating to stand at attention without even raising his eyelids

Are you planning to return to Guangning

Without waiting for the merchant to express his gratitude, Huang Shi impatiently asked, "Your Excellency, now that the important matter is settled, could you inform me how to leave Liaoyang?"

My family elder and General Li are old friends; I am merely delivering a letter between the two old friends. Does General Li not wish to see my family elder's letter? Huang Shi had long made up his mind, believing that the more repetitive the wording, the better, and that the more crude and unrefined he appeared, the better.

Wealth and nobility can constrain one's freedom

The little man of Huangshi

Huang Shi set down the teacup and said with a smile, "If possible, I would like to leave today. Please make the arrangements as soon as you can."

The soldier in blue stopped in front of a mahogany door, bowed, and reported: "Your Highness, the person has arrived."

Lift your head

The pavilions in the courtyard are numerous, with red bricks and green tiles. A long corridor stretches across the front, featuring white jade railings and bluestone steps. After passing through the corridor, to the left is a newly constructed garden, at the center of which lies a pool of emerald green water. In the pool stands a cluster of mountain stones, from the top of which a small fountain sprays water, trickling down the stone wall in two clear streams.