Diding Alliance (3)

Ling Zichong cheerfully waved his hand, "Looks like you can really count. Come in, come in, let me introduce you to some friends."

Qi Jiafu adjusted his bathrobe and walked in, "It seems they are all old friends... Master Shao, long time no see."

"Ah, yes, it has been a while." Shao Yishi slapped his forehead, "Oh, I almost didn't recognize you, Ah Fu, you've become quite impressive over the years. I stay home all day and don't know what's going on outside. How's Prime Minister Qi?"

Qi Jiafu stared into his eyes, "Prime Minister Qi is fine. Prime Minister Lu is also fine."

Shao Yishi's expression didn't change, but the corner of Ling Zichong's eye twitched.

"Good, good. Peace is most important. Let's sit down and talk."

There was nowhere to sit.

Qi Jiafu looked at Ling Zichong with some confusion, but Ling Zichong avoided his gaze, "Commander Qi, let me introduce—this is Li Meng, the leader of the Half-Sleeve League. You must have heard of the three Li brothers from Mulan Prefecture?"

Qi Jiafu smiled. Many in Xiangguo didn't know about the Diding Society, but no one was unaware of the Half-Sleeve League.

The Half-Sleeve League was a loose alliance of all the slave uprisings in Western Xiang, with the strongest faction being the Li brothers from Mulan Prefecture.

Among the three brothers, the most famous was the eldest, Li Jie, the true leader of the rebel army, who had been raising his banner in Mulan Prefecture for fifteen years. The second brother, Li Ao, operated around the Chu River Valley, which was said to be their homeland. The third brother, Li Meng, infiltrated various places, rallying dissatisfied slaves from different estates, acting as the liaison between the Half-Sleeve League and the Diding Society.

The cooperation between the Half-Sleeve League and the Diding Society had always been smooth. Shao Yishi and Li Meng had sworn blood brotherhood multiple times, vowing to support each other as allied organizations. The Diding Society could sell many things to the Half-Sleeve League: weapons, information, blueprints, medicine, assassinations, and legal strongholds. If they fell out with the Half-Sleeve League, they would lose their biggest customer and gain a formidable enemy.

Shao Yishi never made losing deals. If he was taking action, there must be a good reason.

Qi Jiafu felt a chill down his spine. He understood what Ling Zichong meant by "can't guarantee you'll leave alive." If he heard their secrets, he had to join or die.

Still hesitating, wondering if he should take such a bold step, Ling Zichong bluntly exposed the truth, "To be honest, we understand why the boss is doing this. Heh, Li Jie has some issues. He wants to raise an army against Changxiang City out of nowhere. Damn it, no chance of winning, yet he wants us to cooperate. Li Meng, don't be angry. We're not living well, but it's not too bad either. We really don't want to fight, and we're not the fighting type."

Qi Jiafu broke out in a cold sweat. Over the years, Changxiang City had maintained a delicate balance, with four factions playing cards. The Half-Sleeve League and the Diding Society were partners against Qi Xiang and the Sixteen Noble Houses. They had just had a few rounds of skirmishes. The game had barely begun, and Li Jie was already flipping his cards, demanding Shao Yishi to either join them openly or be ousted. It was clear, Li Jie was crazy. Even with all the rebel forces and the Diding Society combined, they couldn't stand against the regular army.

Shao Yishi's decision lacked sentiment but was rational.

Ling Zichong pointed at Qi Jiafu, "Li Meng, you should have heard of this man too—Qi Jiafu, leader of the Wind Shadow Riders, Qi Xiang's confidant, reputedly the fastest blade in Changxiang City. We tested it, it's true."

Li Meng was straightforward, "If the Wind Shadow Riders are on our side, that would be even better."

Better, my ass! Qi Jiafu gritted his teeth.

Ling Zichong smiled at Shao Yishi, "Boss, if Brother Jiafu joins us, it will be easier. We won't need to show up, and he can bring out more information than all of us combined. Of course, you need to provide money, people, and support."

Shao Yishi nodded with a smile, "Of course, Brother Jiafu is one of us. How could we support outsiders over our own?"

One of us, my ass! Qi Jiafu clenched his teeth.

Ling Zichong smiled at him, "Brother Jiafu, don't be so glum. We thought this through. The Shadow Blade school used to be the leader of the Eight Great Blade Streams. You're young, with a bright future. What can the Qi family give you? Hard work and beatings. Even if they give you something, it's already maxed out. But if you make a grand move, we'll help you get whatever you want, even that girl from the Qi family."

"My future is none of your concern," Qi Jiafu said after a pause, "I have three questions. If you answer them, I'll agree."

"Uh-huh."

"First, what happens if I refuse?"

Shao Yishi laughed, "You shouldn't ask that. We have a thousand ways to kill you here."

Qi Jiafu shook his head, "I mean, after killing me, what will you do? Kill Li Meng and continue the infighting?"

The four young masters in the capital looked at each other. This boy was a ruthless man. As soon as he opened his mouth, he made it clear that you are not afraid of death and I am not afraid of death either. He turned over the cards and started playing against them.

They all looked at Shao Yishi. Shao Yishi slid over with a laugh, "That question will be answered last."

"Alright." Qi Jiafu turned to Li Meng, "What's wrong with Li Jie? Why raise an army now? And why attack Changxiang City?"

Li Meng's face changed, "What do you know? The brothers in Mulan Prefecture can't survive anymore! You, living in luxury, can wait, but they can't. One more day of waiting means hundreds of lives. Even if we die, we won't live in misery."

"Such ambition and spirit," Qi Jiafu shook his head, "But that's not what I'm asking. I'm asking—what's wrong with Li Jie? Why raise an army now? Why attack Changxiang City?"

Li Meng's face darkened, "What do you mean?"

Qi Jiafu explained, "Li Jie has been in Mulan Prefecture for over a decade. He's not a hothead. He should know his men can't take Changxiang City. Even if, by some miracle, they take it, the Sixteen Noble Houses will retreat to their lands and wipe you out quickly. Even if they fail, what will you do after three months when the city's food runs out? Where will you go?"

Li Meng remained silent.

"You've endured for years. Li Jie's previous strategy was correct, avoiding the north and seeking a route south through the Chu River Valley. Li Ao's movements have been impressive. Taking advantage of the Luo and He families' conflict to move south, securing Yanzhou, opens the path to the Nine Bear Mountains. Connecting the Chu River, Mulan River, and Snowy Mountains is half the battle won. If the timing is right... the Ning family of Hanhai and the Ling family of Mohe have blood feuds. You have countless opportunities. Li Meng, if you want the truth, you must give me the truth—what's happening with Li Jie? Why is he sending himself to die?"

Li Meng took a deep breath, "I don't know."

Qi Jiafu laughed, "Then you can kill me. I disagree."

Li Meng shook his head, "I truly don't know."

Qi Jiafu sneered, "Two 'I don't knows' for three questions, and you want me to join?"

Ling Zichong patted his shoulder, "Young people shouldn't be impulsive. Maybe we know the third one? Let's hear it."

Qi Jiafu nodded, "Alright. What do you want me to do?"

Ling Zichong was puzzled, "What can you do? Cooperate from within, act together."

Qi Jiafu asked, "Against whom?"

Everyone understood. They all looked at the "Qi" character on his wrist. Ling Zichong's face became serious, "You mean... Qi Xiang is untouchable, right?"

Qi Jiafu nodded, "I'm saying the best choice is to cooperate with Qi Xiang."

Li Meng immediately rejected, "Impossible. I don't trust nobles, any nobles."

Madam Li also agreed, "I think the same as Li Meng."

Ling Zichong nodded, "Brother Jiafu, we've been deceived once. We won't fall for it again. If you won't leave the Qi family, we have nothing to discuss."

Qi Jiafu sighed softly, "Fine, then do it."

Madam Li stomped her foot in disappointment, "Choosing to be a dog instead of a man."

Qi Jiafu looked at the floor, "Do as you wish."

"Hey, hey," Shao Yishi waved his hand, "Let's not argue, no need to argue!"

No one was arguing. The room was silent as a tomb.

Sweat beaded on Shao Yishi's round face, glistening in the folds of his skin. He needed to decide, "Brother Jiafu, you cheated, asking three unanswerable questions... So I'll ask you three questions, simple ones."

On the slightly sweaty face of Shao Yishi, a bright line shone in the folds of his skin. He needed to make a decision: "Jiafu, you've been cheating. You asked three questions that can't be answered... How about this, I'll ask you three questions, it won't be so troublesome, just a few words."

Ling Zichong was surprised. "You?"

Shao Yishi waved his finger to stop his questioning. "Right now, I'm still in charge."

Now it was Qi Jiafu's's turn to sweat.

Shao Yishi wiggled his first finger. "If the people from Mulan Prefecture come to attack, would you stand with Qi Xiang or Li Jie?"

Qi Jiafu's remained silent for a long time.

Shao Yishi hooked his finger. "Not afraid of death, but afraid to speak?"

Qi Jiafu's spoke, his voice hoarse. "Prime Minister Qi."

Madam Shao and Ling Zichong reached for their knives together.

Shao Yishi shook his head at them, nodded at Qi Jiafu's, and raised his second finger. "If Li Jie retreats and goes south, and your master isn't capable, who would you stand with?"

This time, Qi Jiafu's answered more quickly. "Li Jie."

"You truly are a fence-sitter," Shao Yishi raised his third finger, looking at Li Meng and then at the other three. "If we cooperate and Qi Xiang comes after us, who would you stand with?"

Qi Jiafu's shook his head. "I'll try to stop him."

"You can't stop him?"

Qi Jiafu's's sweat finally flowed down. He said slowly, word by word, "If I can't stop him... and the Wind Shadow Riders return to the Qi's, it's originally the Qi's. I can't take it away, so I'll stand with you."

Shao Yishi nodded. "That's enough, we can cooperate."

Ling Zichong frowned tighter. "Ning Hutian."

Shao Yishi smiled wistfully. "Ah Chong, you've forgotten... he's only twenty years old, deep down he's one of us, just a matter of a few years sooner or later. Go — get the contract paper, get the wine, get the knives!"

Li Meng suddenly woke up. After all that fuss, they had struck a deal, there was no Half-Sleeve Alliance at all.

Shao Yishi glanced over, sighed leisurely, "I think the same way as Jiafu brother. Li, alright, I won't bother you. You need to go back and tell your big boss that doing something as brainless as attacking Changxi City, our Diding won't meddle in it, nor will we stab you in the back. Consider this as a friendly gesture from me. Brother, let me give you a piece of advice from the bottom of my heart. If you can persuade Li Jie, tell him not to act rashly. If you can't convince him, let your second brother persuade him. His brain might be more functional than his. This is seeking death. We've been around for so many years, if we wanted to die for excitement, we would've died long ago. It's not easy to survive these days, really."

Li Meng was stunned for a long time, and his whole person softened. "I'll try to persuade him."

"That's right..." Shao Yishi spread out the contract paper. "One contract per year, sigh, such a hassle."

The contract paper was made from May dandelions mixed with bone glue, alum, pine resin, jade shavings, and preservative spices. On the back, the dandelion's needle-like fluff was drawn, depicting countless dandelion seeds flying into the sky in the wind, vividly lifelike, as if they were about to fly off the paper.

Shao Yishi picked up the pen and wrote: "... Qi Jiafu's, inheritor of the Shadow Blade, returned to the Eight Great Blade Streams, mediating the alliance..."

Qi Jiafu's exclaimed, "Great handwriting!"

Shao Yishi's calligraphy was indeed amazing, with sharp strokes and flowing lines, as vigorous as the wind in the slender parts and as fierce as a warhorse charging in the bold parts.

Ling Zichong smiled. "You may not know, but the Hanhai Ning family was once famous for calligraphy. This 'Fierce Horse and Horizontal Spear' style, sigh, Shao Yishi is probably the only successor."

Shao Yishi was annoyed. "Why are you telling him this? What makes you better than me? Even the prestigious Mohe Ling family can only satisfy themselves with painting dandelions."

Qi Jiafu's, who grew up in the prime minister's residence, had been exposed to some stories among literati. Hanhai Ning and Mohe Ling were unparalleled in calligraphy and painting, treasures in collections. Even in the imperial palace, there were only three small pieces.

"...The Diding will only swear allegiance with sincerity, treating the contract as brothers. If there is a breach of contract, heaven and earth will obliterate, and gods and ghosts will punish together..." Shao Yishi looked up. "What day is it today?"

"The fifth year of Taiping, September fourth," Qi Jiafu's replied casually.

Shao Yishi looked at Ling Zichong. "No, according to the old calendar."

Ling Zichong counted on his fingers. "The Daxiangguo calendar, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four years... Let me go first, I just hope we don't have to sign a new contract again... Shao Yishi, if I sign a few more times, I'll be anemic."

When the document reached Qi Jiafu's, there were five blood-red handprints.

He looked at his own hand, where the word "Qi" was elegant yet ferocious. He lowered his head, smiled bitterly, and silently apologized — even if the kindness was as deep as the sea, it couldn't overcome a word of enmity.

Blood dripped into the wine, and all six of them drank it in one go. The taste of the wine wasn't great, bitter and astringent, but upon closer inspection, it had a faint fragrance.

"Diding wine, wherever there is Diding, we can see our brothers!" Ling Zichong raised his cup. "Back when we founded the Diding, I was the same age as you. Damn it, the first time we allied, the blood almost dried us out. Now, look at us, being toyed with by this fat man, Ah Fu, you came at the right time, this fat man is getting old, and so am I. I just want to hide in bed, count money, and hold girls... Hey, who remembers our few verses?"

"Born wild, Diding by nature," Madam Shao recited the first line, women always had better memory.

"Straight to the Ninth Heaven," Ling Zichong continued.

"When the wind and waves are calm," Qi Jiafu's added.

"Give me back the peace of the world," they all recited together.