547 Asking for Help (1/2)
They had written down the names of King Dari and King Rizhu. Gu Shenwei chose the former, while Fang Wenshi the latter.
”We should have written down the same name,” Fang Wenshi said with a bitter smile, shaking his head. He thought that a counselor and his master were supposed to write down the same name, look at each other with a satisfied smile, and then suddenly be on more intimate terms.
However, the Dragon King and Fang Wenshi had different ideas.
”Why do you think that King Dari is the Central Plain's hidden traitor? He's the first rightful heir to the throne,” Fang Wenshi began.
”King Dari has a yellow-faced servant named Fu Yuan. Have you heard of him?” said Gu Shenwei.
”Yes. He seems to be a yes man. He should take some responsibility for King Dari failing to sit on the throne,” replied Fang Wenshi.
”Fu Yuan is not just a yes man. He is controlling King Dari. If my guess is right, King Dari is just a puppet who has lost his ability to think properly. It is Fu Yuan who tells him how to act,” said Gu Shenwei.
”So the rumor is true? King Dari is only around fifty. How could he suffer from senile dementia earlier than the Khan?” asked Fang Wenshi.
”Yes, the rumor is true. But more importantly, Fu Yuan is from the Central Plain,” replied Gu Shenwei.
After thinking about it for a while, Fang Wenshi was still not convinced. ”That doesn't prove that King Dari is the hidden traitor,” Fang Wenshi retorted. ”It's risky to use a servant from the Central Plain to control a lord of Norland, because he'd be too unreliable. If I worked for the Central Plain, I would never choose such a hidden traitor,” said Fang Wenshi.
”Tell me your reason. Although King Rizhu acts suspicious, he could not be the hidden traitor of the Central Plain. Have you forgotten? His son died at the hands of the Emperor of the Central Plain,” argued Gu Shenwei.
”His enemy is the former Emperor, not the current one. Your Highness, your words have reminded me. Perhaps the reason that King Rizhu intends to win the three most important competitions is to spoil something else. I have a hunch that the Central Plain will be the largest beneficiary if King Rizhu wins these matches,” said Fang Wenshi.
Both of their guesses were based on weak foundations. Fang Wenshi regarded this as an interesting game. He patted his thigh and continued, ”What about us making a bet? We spend three days looking for evidence, and then see whose guess is right.”
”What if both of our guesses are wrong?” asked Gu Shenwei.
”If that's the case, you should make a concession since you are my master. If it turns out that both of our guesses are wrong, you still lose the bet,” said Fang Wenshi.
Gu Shenwei became interested in the bet, so he asked, ”Okay, so what are the stakes?”
Fang Wenshi replied, looking awkward, ”The stakes need to be within my reach. Your Highness, I promise you that I am not rich, so I don't have much money.”
Gu Shenwei looked at the fat Fang Wenshi, and he knew that his money must have been spent on food. After thinking for a while, he said, ”Then, ten taels of silver. We can both afford that.”
Fang Wenshi couldn't help bursting into laughter. He returned, ”The stake is too small.” After awhile, he proposed, ”How about this? If you win, I will not be paid for the work I've done for you in Norland. It would save you a lot of money.”
”What if you win?” asked Gu Shenwei.
”Hehe. I will receive my pay. On top of that, I need you to make me a promise,” Fang Wenshi said, looking at the Dragon King with a sly smile. ”If I offend you one day, I hope — you will spare my life. After all, it's dangerous to keep a king's company. I might displease you some day. No one knows what will happen in the future,” he said.
This stake was bigger than Gu Shenwei had expected. Besides, Fang Wenshi's stake was also suspicious. He had chosen an optimal time to propose it. Gu Shenwei mused for a while, and then nodded yes. So far, he believed his Military Counselor, and also he knew that death was not the only form of punishment. He said, ”Okay. Whatever crime you commit in the future, I will spare your life -- but only once.”
It was midnight when Fang Wenshi left the tent. He walked back to his tent elated. He wasn't planning to betray the Dragon King, but the deal he'd made was a counselors' rule to guarantee his safety. He took a chance in proposing it, and he took pride in his success.
Gu Shenwei was not sleepy at all. Now that he was in a foreign environment and faced unknown challenges, he was much more excited than usual.
Gu Shenwei stayed calm in front of others. When he was alone, he preferred to let his mind wander. He analyzed several lords of Norland he had met, trying to detect any suspicious signs. Still, he could not decipher who the hidden traitor was.
He wanted to discuss it with Maid Lotus, but she was not around. She was busy in a secret location making a poison that would cause the same symptoms King Rizhu's son had after his death.
All of sudden, the tent was hit with a small stone.
To Gu Shenwei's surprise, someone dared to provoke him the first day he moved into his new encampment. He immediately pulled out his Five Peaks Saber, stood still and listened closely. It was unwise to leave the tent to see what was happening.
Then another stone was thrown into the tent. It seemed that this person was trying to attract the Dragon King's attention.
Gu Shenwei did not move, listening carefully. There was no noise outside the tent, though, proving that this person excelled in Lightness Skills. Gu Shenwei silently made a large slit in the tent and wormed his way through the hole. Then, he turned right, walked forward and stopped where the stones were being thrown.
The third stone flew towards him, and he caught it. Gu Shenwei found that the stones were not being thrown with much force.
The person who flung the stones stood beyond several tents, covered with a cloak. Suddenly, she waved her hands at Gu Shenwei, turned around, and disappeared instantly.
Soldiers of the Dragon Army were sound asleep after their long journey. Several guards on night duty did not notice what had happened near the Dragon King's tent.
Gu Shenwei followed the person. He felt no danger, for he knew whom he was pursuing.
Flinging stones was one of his methods, and this person had obviously learned it from him.
It also seemed that she was not familiar with this place. She frequently leapt to high places, looking around. However, she had excellent Lightness Skills, and moved freely in the air, as if she were a bird. She leapt and jumped with ease, as effortlessly as ordinary people walked on the ground.