Chapter 88.1

Big Long said: “Those people have been trying to prevent you from meeting with me, and since they failed, they will naturally plan for the next step. Your journey between the Great Xiao and South Qin may be smooth, but you won’t be able to bring any evidence back. The spy’s leader in Zhonglan City has not been caught yet. The envoys’ murderer disappeared without a trace. You only have empty words. If someone in the court fans the flames, can you be certain that your Emperor will choose to believe in your words only?”

Huo Mingshan was silent.

“If your Emperor does not believe you, then your actions will be seen in a different light. Your communications with Great Xiao and helping Great Xiao speak, the previous matter about Great Xiao’s scouts contacting you, as well as your attempted assassination. Who rescued you? Was it a soldier of Great Xiao? Then, are you collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country? Didn’t you say earlier that you had prevented King Hui from pouring dirty water on you? Going back like this, I’m afraid that would not be dirty water but an entrapment.”

Huo Mingshan frowns.

Big Long asked again, “What exactly is East Ling’s attitude in this matter? They are allied with your country. How deep is that relationship? If you and I were to go to war, would East Ling send troops?”

Huo Mingshan pondered.

Big Long added, “If they send troops, which side will they help?”

Huo Mingshan was suddenly startled.

Big Long observed Huo Mingshan’s expression and added: “Mr. Huo, our two countries attempt to grasp handles on each other, and the border is at swords points, but so far there has been a stalemate. At such a time, East Ling kindly invited your country’s envoys to visit Great Xiao through them, where even the South Qin’s right prime minister was part of the entourage…… “

Huo Mingshan interjected: “My Emperor attaches great importance to this matter. After Pingnan County prevented the envoys from going to the capital to see the Great Xiao’s Emperor, my Emperor hoped to be able to make things clear once and for all. Thus, he sent the right prime minister to show sincerity.” Huo Mingshan sighed. “I tried my best to persuade the Emperor and recommended that candidate.” But in the end, the right prime minister died in the territory of Great Xiao, making Huo Mingshan full of regret.

“In the matter of the South Qin Ambassador handing over the letter in the Pingnan County to have an audience with the Great Xiao’s Emperor, it was my idea to reject it.” Big Long admitted, “The reason for the refusal is that your country has laid a spy organization in my Pingnan County’s Zhonglan City. The intention is obvious, so I let your ambassador go back to discuss, hand over the list of spies to express your country’s sincerity, and only then would he be allowed to go to the capital. Otherwise, even if he did reach the capital, do you think my Emperor would see him? By that time, he would be thoroughly humiliated. Wouldn’t that be a tragedy? At that time, would your Emperor be happy? The conflict between the two countries could only get worse by taking this step.”

Huo Mingshan replied: “The report only said that the Great Xiao framed my South Qin for killing civilians near the border and secretly laying spies, then used this as a pretext to close the border trade and refused to have any discussion on the matter. It further stated that the envoy was humiliated in Pingnan County, and the country’s prestige has been ruined. The citizens suffered, especially those who previously traded with the Great Xiao, like merchants and miners. There were heavy losses and deaths, and many sued the government. In the long run, I’m afraid that the country will lose its order, succumbing to chaos.” Huo Mingshan continued: “Whereas the thing you mentioned earlier, General, about letting us uncover the spies’ identities, I have not heard of such matter. If the Emperor knew, he would have told me and discussed it.”

“Perhaps he doesn’t know, or perhaps he already knows but having confirmed that Great Xiao slandered him, naturally, there was no need to discuss it.”

Huo Mingshan froze and fell silent.

Big Long asked, “Mr. Huo recommended the right prime minister to go on the mission, and now that he has been killed, what is your country’s court’s reaction?”

“Naturally resentful. Within the faction that previously advised negotiation, no one has spoken up since.”

“How many people are still on your side?”

Huo Mingshan was silent for a long time before saying: “I resigned from the government and I am not in charge of any post, only guiding the Emperor to read. I offered some national policy advice for the Emperor behind the scenes but never attended the court. Over time, my reputation is naturally worse than before. In addition, previously, for the purpose of planning to lure the enemy, I have distanced myself from the court ministers. The Emperor has been sitting on the throne for a few years, married the Empress, and established a Crown Prince. His relationship with King Hui is harmonious, so his level of dependence on me is not as high as when he first ascended the throne.”

Big Long’s heart added a bit more respect to Huo Mingshan. Knowing that the road ahead was dangerous and perhaps full of thorns and traps, he still took the risk to come.

“General Long, with me at this age, even though the situation is dangerous, I must go back and tell the Emperor all these doubts and persuade him to guard against East Ling. If our two countries are at war, I’m afraid that East Ling will reap the benefits. Someone in the court colluded with East Ling, and since the right prime minister is dead, the power of King Hui will be even greater. I recommended the right prime minister to go on the mission because I was worried about King Hui’s manipulation. I was afraid if anyone else came in front of your Emperor, he would purposely provoke trouble and ignite the fire of war. I didn’t expect to enter East Ling’s trap. The General is spreading himself thin, assigning people to find me and keeping the border station calm despite all sorts of provocations, doing your all to keep the last chance for peace. I believe in what the General said. I must return as soon as possible.”

“Sir, since your wishes are identical to mine, and the goal is the same, then with all due respect, I fear that Mr. Huo will encounter more ambushes on your way back, and on the way to your country’s capital, it would be difficult for my people to escort you, or else your collusion with the enemy would surely be confirmed. And even if you are lucky and return safely to the capital, the court must have already prepared for it. You have not obtained any evidence, and can only present a sentence ‘I believe General Long’ – that’s simply unconvincing. Your Emperor will not listen to even a single word from you. How can you accomplish anything if you can’t protect yourself?”