Chapter 148: The Assassination

The next day, Zhang Chi intended to seek an audience with the Prince of Chengdu. Before setting off, everyone gathered in the main hall. Zhang Chi first spoke to the Hamster: "Senior Hamster, this time as we devise a plan to deal with the Liangzhou Inspector, it is inevitable that some considerable turmoil will occur in Chengdu. When the time comes, I must rely heavily on you and the hundred common-born youths you brought to lend a hand."

"What are you saying, Young Master? By the command of Mount Emei, should the Young Master have any dispatch, we would gladly plunge into boiling water and walk through fire without hesitation."

How many heroes have been ruined since ancient times by the struggle for fame and fortune? Zhang Chi could not afford to be anything less than cautious in all things. These common-born youths possessed peerless martial arts skills, and at a critical moment, a single one of them could easily stand against a hundred. With their assistance, Zhang Chi truly felt a great deal more at ease.

Turning back, he smiled at Hidden Blade and said: "This time we are going to overthrow the Liangzhou Inspector. Given his considerable influence in Shu, it will likely not be accomplished in a single day or two. During this period, it is inevitable that he will be driven to desperation. I must trouble Lady Hidden Blade to remain by my side at all times. My life rests heavily upon your protection, Lady."

Hidden Blade had already resumed her customary detachment: "Rest assured, you won't die."

Such was Hidden Blade's temperament, and Zhang Chi did not blame her for her bluntness. Moreover, since she had given her word, she would undoubtedly strive to fulfill it. With a bodyguard like Hidden Blade by his side, he gained an extra layer of assurance.

"Brother Zhang, what about me?" Seeing that Zhang Chi was not assigning him any tasks, Daoxuan grew anxious and hurriedly said, "Let me stay by your side as well. With Hidden Blade and me protecting you together, I guarantee absolute safety."

Zhang Chi, however, smiled: "Don't be impatient. I have another assignment for you, and I was just about to speak to you about it."

"What assignment?" Daoxuan asked.

"Do you still remember when we were in Kuaiji, and the Five Pecks of Rice Dao breached Shanyin, completely slaughtering the Wang and Xie gentry clans within the city? At that time, we rescued a young master of the Xie family."

The person Zhang Chi was speaking of was Xie Lingyun, whom Daoxuan naturally remembered. Zhang Chi continued: "Later, after we entered Shu together and headed for Chengdu, we settled him in Commandery Ba. Now, I want you to ride post-haste and bring him to Chengdu."

When Zhang Chi first entered Shu, Commandery Ba was his initial destination. When the Hu tribes launched their massive invasion, the group moved north to Chengdu. Uncertain of the political climate awaiting them in Chengdu, they had left Xie Lingyun behind in Commandery Ba.

In fact, it was not just Xie Lingyun; remaining with him in Commandery Ba was also Master Han, who had presided over the Sanwu Academy back in Jiankang. Master Han possessed a vast and profound knowledge, making him perfectly suited to tutor Xie Lingyun. Furthermore, being somewhat advanced in years, he was unsuited to accompany Zhang Chi on military campaigns.

Daoxuan was somewhat displeased. He had expected to be entrusted with some grand undertaking, only to find out it was merely an errand-boy's job: "I won't go! Such trivial matters can be handled by sending anyone at random. I want to stay and accomplish great things with you."

Zhang Chi smiled and said: "This matter is something others simply cannot handle. If any other person were sent, Master Han would not recognize them and naturally would not easily trust them. Only you can do it. When we went to the Sanwu Academy in Jiankang, it was just the three of us—you, me, and Santong. Master Han knows you are my sworn brother, so he will trust you."

What Zhang Chi said was indeed the truth, and Daoxuan had no choice but to nod. "Very well, I'll make a trip to Commandery Ba."

Zhang Chi comforted him: "Overthrowing the Liangzhou Inspector is no easy task. By the time you return, the good show might not even have begun yet. Rest assured and make haste back."

"Really?"

"When have I ever lied to you?" Zhang Chi smiled faintly.

After all, Daoxuan was somewhat younger than Zhang Chi and possessed a typical fondness for joining in on the excitement; how could a showdown with the Liangzhou Inspector be complete without him? Hearing this, his face finally broke into a cheerful smile.

Having settled the arrangements, the group departed. Daoxuan spurred his horse out of Chengdu straight toward Commandery Ba, while Zhang Chi and his entourage proceeded to the Prince of Chengdu's estate.

By now, Zhang Chi was a household name throughout Shu. Along the way, people cleared the path and followers accompanied him on both sides, carrying the impressive momentum of a military governor returning in triumph. Commoners lined the streets to celebrate and offer endless praise.

Since ancient times, he who wins the hearts of the people wins the realm; it seemed his reputation among the common folk was quite favorable, and Zhang Chi was fairly pleased.

Before long, they arrived at the Prince of Chengdu's estate. Zhang Chi ordered his attendants to wait outside, taking only Hidden Blade with him. Greeting them at the gate was once again Luo An, the Commandant of the Bureau of Records.

"Trust you have been well since we last met, Lord Luo?" Zhang Chi greeted.

Luo An stepped forward with a smile and said: "It is all thanks to the Governor's immense fortune. With the Governor pacifying the north and deterring the Hu from violating the borders, I am able to eat my fill and sleep peacefully every day, and my health is much stronger than before."

Entering the palace to see the Prince of Chengdu, the Prince was overjoyed. He personally greeted them at the front of the hall, took Zhang Chi by the hand, and said: "This time we truly owe everything to the Young Master. Not only did you drive back the Hu tribes, but within a few short days, you have established another extraordinary merit. With the Young Master here, our region of Shu can rest secure."

The Prince of Chengdu insisted on pulling Zhang Chi to sit beside him on the royal couch, inquiring warmly after his well-being with exceptional enthusiasm.

What kind of treatment was this? In ancient China, the distinction between superior and inferior was paramount. For him to sit on equal footing with the Prince of Chengdu now inevitably cast suspicion upon him of having merits so great they overshadowed his lord, which was hardly a favorable circumstance.

Others brought about their own destruction through arrogance stemming from their achievements, but Zhang Chi was different—he had been forcefully pulled up to sit alongside the Prince. While this represented the Prince's appreciation, sitting upon the royal couch made Zhang Chi feel somewhat uneasy at heart.

"I previously mentioned to the Young Master the marriage alliance with my beloved daughter, Princess Wuyou. The Young Master replied that while the Hu were undefeated, how could one speak of a home? Now that the Young Master has captured Hanzhong, this Northern Expedition has returned with complete success. Why not take the opportunity of this return to Chengdu to hold the wedding first?" the Prince of Chengdu said with a beaming smile.

Zhang Chi equivocated and declined, saying: "Although Hanzhong has been captured this time, the Hu will certainly not be willing to take their defeat lying down and are currently gathering their forces. In less than a month, they will inevitably raise troops to counterattack. Upon returning to Chengdu this time, I cannot stay for more than a few days before I must return. As for the matter of marriage, it would be best to postpone it until a later date, lest it delay military affairs."

How could the Prince of Chengdu fail to understand his meaning when he repeatedly delayed? He offered an awkward smile and said: "Very well, very well. Since the Young Master has rendered service to Shu, today I shall host a banquet at the Prince's estate, inviting all the civil and military officials to celebrate the Young Master's victory together."

There were no other outsiders in the Prince's estate today save for Luo An. The Prince promptly instructed Luo An to immediately dispatch men to summon all officials to attend the banquet by noon.

Luo An acknowledged the order and withdrew.

The Prince of Chengdu once again pulled Zhang Chi to inquire about the course of the military campaign. Zhang Chi detailed how he had covertly crossed the Yinping path, launched a surprise attack on Shanyin, snuck into Hanzhong, and persuaded the Governor of Hanzhong to surrender, thereby capturing several cities without expending a breath of effort.

After Zhang Chi finished giving a general account, the Prince of Chengdu was filled with admiration, repeatedly praising him as "employing military tactics like a god." Their enthusiasm for conversation showed no sign of waning, and before they knew it, over two hours had passed. By this time, it was already noon.

Luo An came to invite them, reporting that all the officials had arrived and taken their seats. Only then did the Prince of Chengdu take Zhang Chi by the hand and appear at the banquet.

The officials had long known how heavily the Prince of Chengdu relied on Zhang Chi; seeing the Prince walk out holding Zhang Chi's hand, they reacted accordingly.

Officials were all adept at reading expressions, and they hastily offered congratulations to Zhang Chi, their speech filled with lavish praise. Only the Liangzhou Inspector spoke with hidden barbs: "The Governor has labored diligently and achieved great merit this time, returning to Chengdu to enjoy prominent glory before the eyes of all. To have captured Hanzhong in such a short span of time is truly a cause for joy and congratulation."

Zhang Chi sneered and said: "If someone had not colluded with the Hu tribes and secretly obstructed my efforts, I likely would have won even sooner."

"What does the Governor mean by these words?" the Liangzhou Inspector asked, his conscience pricking him.

Zhang Chi merely smiled and said: "Inspector, you know it, I know it, heaven knows it, and earth knows it. Why bother making things explicit before all the civil and military officials?"

Nothing could be clearer: Zhang Chi was accusing the Liangzhou Inspector of colluding with the Hu tribes and secretly obstructing his campaign.

"What do you mean by this!" the Liangzhou Inspector said, flying into a rage.

This time, Zhang Chi had come fully prepared. Seeing the Liangzhou Inspector's fury, he met him blow for blow: "When the Prince of Chengdu appointed me as the Great Military Governor commanding the forces of various commanderies, even the Inspector of Yizhou dispatched fifty thousand elite troops to campaign alongside us. Yet only your Liangzhou troops were perpetually delayed in arriving. What is the reason for this?"

The Liangzhou Inspector could not argue his way out of this matter and could only say: "That was because my Liangzhou forces were away on campaign and unable to be dispatched in time. How can you speak of collusion with the Hu?"

Naturally, the Liangzhou Inspector could not admit to it. Now that the Hu forces had retreated, lacking hard evidence, he would deny it to the death.

"Away on campaign? Unable to be dispatched in time?" Zhang Chi sneered. "When the Hu forces raised arms and invaded the northern part of Shu, you offered not the slightest organized resistance, causing the region north of Mount Ba to fall entirely without a shred of defense. Then the Hu forces pointed their blades toward Pingwu; when Pingwu begged for reinforcements and received none, I ask you, where were your Liangzhou forces campaigning?"

The Liangzhou Inspector had no reply. Zhang Chi continued: "Then, when my grand army set out to rescue Pingwu and passed through your territory of Liangzhou, you secretly erected checkpoints to obstruct the timing of my army's rescue. I ask you, what was your intention!"

The Liangzhou Inspector had not expected that Zhang Chi, who usually appeared so mild-mannered, could possess such a sharp tongue when provoked. He stammered in reply: "That was the fault of my subordinates, not my original intent. Moreover, you have already executed that general of mine. Having privately executed a court official, the faults on both sides should cancel each other out."

"Nonsense! I received the Prince's mandate to lead the Northern Expedition against the Hu. Since he dared to obstruct me, he deserved execution, and my killing of him was justified. I fear that you, the Liangzhou Inspector, can hardly escape suspicion of colluding with the Hu!"

Having returned this time intent on fighting the Liangzhou Inspector to the bitter end, Zhang Chi naturally would not let the matter rest.

"You are spitting blood with baseless accusations! I will never forgive you!" The Liangzhou Inspector was humiliated to the point of anger, waving his hand as if to draw the sword at his waist.

Unfortunately, the Prince of Chengdu's estate had long established a rule: all weapons must be unbuckled and removed before entering the hall. The Liangzhou Inspector's hand met only empty air, causing him to snap back to reality. Zhang Chi smiled and asked: "Could it be that you intend to silence me by murder?"

The Liangzhou Inspector said fiercely: "You have no proof and are spouting nonsense to ruin my reputation. I will never let you off."

Zhang Chi smiled—a brilliantly radiant smile: "How do you know I have no proof?"

At this, the Liangzhou Inspector was struck dumb with shock.

Able to rise to the position of Inspector, he naturally possessed some political acumen. Why was Zhang Chi, usually so courteous and polite, acting with such aggressive dominance today? It was entirely possible he had truly secured incriminating evidence against him.

If Zhang Chi were to expose his treasonous collusion with the enemy right here and now, his life as Liangzhou Inspector would be in mortal peril. He could not even be certain he could walk out of the hall alive; he might well be executed on the spot.

As for why Zhang Chi held incriminating evidence yet had not revealed it until now, the Liangzhou Inspector, being well-versed in political maneuvering, could easily guess the reason.

If Zhang Chi exposed him directly, he would reap no personal benefit. In worldly affairs, the word "profit" came first; Zhang Chi's purpose was undoubtedly to use this as leverage to extort him and seize power.

Of course, it was also quite possible that Zhang Chi was merely bluffing, but the Inspector dared not take the gamble. A single misstep could cost him his head.

With this thought, the Liangzhou Inspector's tone began to soften: "The Governor does not understand, this is truly a misunderstanding. You and I serve in the same court as officials and ought to work together with one heart. In the past, this subordinate may have had certain omissions and faults, and the Governor must surely forgive them."

That was the proper attitude! Zhang Chi sneered silently without a word.

Seeing the Liangzhou Inspector back down, the Prince of Chengdu felt a tumult of shifting thoughts. Did he not know the Inspector's character? Ordinarily arrogant and overbearing, why had he suddenly grown so submissive before Zhang Chi today?

Maintaining his composure, however, the Prince said: "Gentlemen, today is a banquet to celebrate the Governor's great victory on the Northern Expedition. Do not let other matters ruin today's mood; all other issues can be discussed another day."

These words implicitly provided a way out for the Liangzhou Inspector. Seeing that the Prince of Chengdu had spoken thus, Zhang Chi merely offered a cold hum toward the Inspector and took his seat. Meanwhile, Hidden Blade stood silently behind Zhang Chi, showing no outward emotion.

The civil and military officials throughout the hall rose one after another to approach Zhang Chi and offer toasts.

In this era, Zhang Chi's greatest specialty happened to be his capacity for liquor. Not only was his alcohol tolerance high, but prior to his transmigration, he had been accustomed to drinking high-proof spirits. Furthermore, this era's brewing technology had advanced by more than a thousand years since the one he originated from, making the low-alcohol rice wine of this period feel practically no different from drinking water.

The officials were all experts in flattery, and now that he had just captured Hanzhong and the Prince of Chengdu treated him with utmost reverence, their praises became even more outrageous. To hear them tell it, Zhang Chi had become a singular figure without equal across heaven and earth, making even the Marquis of Wu, Zhuge Liang, worthy only of carrying his shoes.

Although Zhang Chi drank cup after cup of wine, this amount was not enough to intoxicate him, and his mind remained sharp. The more he listened to these praises, the more chilled he felt. These people would elevate you to the nine heavens when you held power, just as they would cast you into the nine netherworlds the moment you lost it.

At that moment, another female attendant approached bearing a dish. Kneeling before Zhang Chi's low desk, she raised the tray level with her eyebrows with both hands and slowly presented it toward him.

Zhang Chi suddenly felt something was amiss. Earlier attendants serving dishes had carried them at a lower level before gently placing them on the table; why did this one hold the tray raised as high as her eyebrows?

Moreover, the direction of her presentation seemed slightly off; rather than lowering it smoothly, she was pushing it straight toward him.

Before he could ponder further, Hidden Blade sprang forward from behind Zhang Chi with a fierce leap, shouting at the same time: "Assassin!"

Seeing that Hidden Blade had made her move, the female attendant abruptly flipped the tray, sending the plates and bowls flying directly toward Zhang Chi's face. Through the gaps of the flying porcelain, Zhang Chi clearly saw a flash of brilliant blade light stabbing straight for his chest!

[Compilation complete.]

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