Chapter 191 Zhang Zixiang (1/2)
Slow recognition went off like a bomb as the name ”Zhang Zixiang” resounded in my mind! The glimmer of inspiration that flashed through me earlier finally made sense! ”'Zhang Zixiang', 'Shaanxi' and the 'County Magistrate!' I should have known! I am in Mizhi County of Shaanxi! Bian Dashou is here!”
According to Chen Yixuan, Zhang Zixiang's actual name was Li Zixiang! He was the older brother of Li Zicheng. Hence this magistrate office in front of me could only be the Mizhi County Magistrate building and the County Magistrate serving here would be none other than Bian Dashou himself! The keeper of the Dragon-slaying Blade!
Excitement swelled in me, burgeoning quickly that it made me leaped to my feet and I flew over the walls of the building. In the frenzy of my elation, I had not thought about how I even manage the jump. Next thing I knew, I was already speeding after Zhang Zixiang who was already being led inside.
With a small jog, Zhang Zixiang cantered into the inner cloisters, still cradling the leaf-wrapped bundle. He came to an antechamber where a man was waiting for him, seating at a table while sipping at some wine. Despite the creased face and the grey stubble of beard growing from his chin, I recognized him almost instantly. It was Bian Dashou indeed, despite his aged and wearied looks from before! Zhang Zixiang came in and Bian Dashou stood up. ”You're here, Brother Zixiang! Come, have a seat!” He sat down and filled a cup for his guest.
Zhang Zixiang sank into his chair, his face curling with a smile as he unfurled the leaf wrappings of the bundle and unveiled a crusty-coated and succulent roast chicken! He laid it on the table, pushing it closer to Bian Dashou, saying amiably, ”Come, have a taste of this! I bought it specifically for you, Brother Dashou! It's a lotus-leaf baked chicken! Come, come, come!” He lifted his cup, clinked it with Bian Dashou's and gulped down its contents.
Bian Dashou's eyes betrayed a devilishly hungry look as he gazed at the chicken. He reached a hand and tore a piece of flesh as he sipped at his wine. I retreated to a corner and sat quietly as I tried to rake out the recollections of what old Chen Yixuan had told me: At this time, Bian Dashou was maintaining the facade of being close and intimate with Li Zixiang. They were even addressing each other as brothers in private. It was a ruse Bian Dashou had devised since receiving his orders from Wang Qiaonian, the Governor of Shaanxi; to get close to Li Zixiang, the brother of Li Zicheng, and indulge him with wine and women to portray himself as a corruptible ally.
With three rounds at the back of their heads, Bian Dashou finally spoke, ”There has been word yesterday that the Dashing King—Li Zicheng, that is, shall be invading Tongguan County! It will not be far till the day the Ming Empire falls and the Dashing King shall sit upon the throne not far thereafter!” Zhang Zixiang grinned cheerfully, obviously pleased with the prospects as being brother to a king in the making when Bian Dashou clapped his hands suddenly and the door of the antechamber was flung open at once. A man walked in, bearing a tray covered with a piece of red fabric, much to Zhang Zixiang's suspicion. But as he teetered with hesitation, Bian Dashou dramatically drew the cloth and Zhang Zixiang froze. It was a tray full of silver-white ingots.
The glimmering tray of silver immediately dawned upon me what was happening! Bian Dashou was trying to keep Zhang Zixiang away now while he would travel to Mount San Feng Zi! More people came in, bringing in a large chest. When it was opened, the whole room shone with the brightness of the silver ingots filling the chest to the brim. Bian Dashou explained, ”With the Dashing King's success at hand, I need your help, Brother. Please bring all twenty of our sworn brothers to Tongguan County tomorrow. You will first bring our brothers to join the Dashing King in his endeavor and please send the 7,000 taels of silvers to him and mention to my support for his cause. Please help me win his favor, for my future. I will come as soon as I have settled all my business here.”
Zhang Zixiang beamed proudly at the news and could have not agreed more readily. ”Very well! I'll depart tomorrow! Rest assured, Brother, that your contributions will make a lasting impression upon the Dashing King himself!” He left immediately, leading the porters lifting the chest of silver away.
I inched quietly into a chair at Bian Dashou's table, looking at him and the man who was still holding the tray of silver. He waited for Zhang Zixiang to wander out of earshot and he said to him, ”Follow them tomorrow and make sure they indeed join the Dashing King and the rebel army, then report back to me.” With a grunt of acknowledgment, the man turned and left. If old Chen Yixuan's accounts turned out to be correct, then this man could only be Jia Huan, Bian Dashou's most trusted subordinate.
But what happened next baffled me: Bian Dashou sat back down but he did not move for minutes as if he had been stuck in an ice block. ”What's happening? Is he astral-projecting?!” I waited for minutes until I grew restless enough to light myself another cigarette as I waited. But the smell of my burning cigarette stung his nose as a great plume of smoke rose up in the wind and he sneezed! The sneeze seemed to have jerked him back from his stupor and he rose up at once, looking around strangely. Finding nothing, he sighed and he walked out of the chamber.