Heaven-relying Sword And Dragon-slaying Sabre

"Ah, you are Peng …" Zhang Wuji was very happy. It turned out that man was Peng Yingyu. His disguise was so ingenious that although he had been standing next to them for a long time, Zhang Wuji and the others did not have the slightest idea of his real identity.

In a low voice Peng Yingyu said, "This is not a good place to talk. The Tartar Emperor must not be killed." Zhang Wuji was aware of his wisdom and knowledge, therefore, he simply nodded and did not ask anymore questions. He only reached out to grab Peng Yingyu's left hand and gently shook it a few times.

In the meantime, the Emperor and the Crown Prince were followed by three thousand armored Yu Lin Jun. After them, the tens of thousands of crowds went down the street to watch the festivities. "Let us go see the Empress, let us go see the Princess," they said to each other while heading westward.

"Let us also go and see," Zhou Zhiruo said. The four of them mingled with the crowd until they arrived outside the 'Yu De Dian' [Jade Virtue Palace]. They saw that seven beautifully decorated raised platforms erected outside the Palace. The platforms were surrounded by the Yu Lin Jun holding rattan sticks to prevent the people from coming too close. Although it was very crowded, Zhang Wuji and the others, four people, managed to squeeze their way through by gently pushing forward and before long they had reached at the front of the platforms.

The Emperor sat on the highest platform, with the two Empresses on either side of him. The Empresses were middle-age fat women, bundled inside robes inlaid with pearls, jade and precious jewels. Needless to say, they glittered with brilliant lights. On their heads, they wore ridiculously strange-looking tall crowns. The Crown Prince sat on the platform to the left of the Emperor, while on the right platform sat a young woman about twenty or so, wearing embroidered gown. She must be the Princess.

Zhang Wuji's eyes scanned the rest of the platforms; he saw that on the second platform on the left sat a young woman wearing sable fur coat, with a pearl necklace on her neck. Her smile was captivating, her eyes dreamy. It was none other than Zhao Min. On this same platform sat a long-bearded Prince with a majestic expression. He was Zhao Min's father, the Ruyang Prince, Khakan Timur. Zhao Min's brother, Kuku Timur, was pacing back and forth on the platform, with eyes like an eagle and steps like a tiger. He looked particularly imposing.

By this time the foreign monks were performing the 'Tian Mo Da Zhen' [Heaven and Devil Great Formation]. Five hundred monks with Buddhist religious articles in their hands circled around, to the left and to the right, jumping high and stooping low; the changes and variations were marvelously strange. The crowd broke into cheers and applause; everybody sighed in admiration.

Zhou Zhiruo kept her gaze on Zhao Min for half a day. Finally, she sighed and said, "Let's go home!" The four of them squeezed their way out and returned to the inn.

Peng Yingyu paid his respects properly toward Zhang Wuji, and then they both recounted what happened since they parted. Zhang Wuji asked whether he heard any news about Xie Xun. Peng Yingyu had just arrived at Dadu from the Huai Si River area; he did not even know that Xie Xun had returned to the Central Plains. He told the accomplishments of Zhu Yuanzhang, Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and the others over the past year. They besieged and captured towns; they performed outstanding military successes and lifted the Ming Cult's prestige high.

"Peng Da Shi [lit. grand/great master, also used to refer a Buddhist Monk, Reverend]," Han Lin'er said, "Just now if we attacked the platform, with one knife we could chop that Tatar Emperor; why did you let him go?"

Peng Yingyu shook his head, "This Emperor is a stupid tyrant and he is precisely our biggest helper. How can we kill him?" he said.

Han Lin'er was baffled. "The Tatar Emperor is a stupid tyrant; he has caused endless misery to the common people. How can he be our biggest helper?" he asked.

"Han Xiongdi [brother Han], you don't understand," Peng Yingyu said, "The Tatar Emperor appointed foreign monks for official businesses, and thus muddling the government; he also ordered the people to build a new road by excavating the Yellow River, tiring the people and squandering the resources, making the people angry and causing them to resent him. In recent years we managed to route the Tatars completely. Do you think that was because our ragtag troop is really superior of the Mongolian crack troops? It was because this muddle-headed Emperor did not use good officers. The Ruyang Prince is very capable of leading the troops. He managed to take things under control in everywhere the Tatar Emperor sent him to quench rebellion. The Emperor is afraid that if he rendered too many services, he would usurp the throne. Therefore, he continually reduces his authority, and dispatches some braggarts, good-for-nothing generals to lead the troops. As the Mongolian army fought the battle, these bastard generals can only lead them to defeat. Tell me, don't you think this Tatar Emperor is our biggest helper?"

Zhang Wuji and the others nodded their heads in agreement. Peng Yingyu continued, "If we killed this Tatar Emperor, the Crown Prince would rise to the throne. Looking at his appearance, the Crown Prince is not someone easy to deal with. Granted, as the new Emperor, he might lack experience, but he is certainly better than his muddle-headed father. It would be really bad if he appoints veteran generals seasoned in battles to fight us."

Zhang Wuji said, "It's good that Da Shi promptly warned us, otherwise, we might act rashly today and spoil an important matter."

Han Lin'er repeatedly slapped his own mouth while swearing, "I deserve to die! I deserve to die! Later on, don't you dare to talk rubbish and propose stupid ideas!" Zhang Wuji, Zhou Zhiruo and Peng Yingyu laughed at his silliness.

Peng Yingyu said, "Jiaozhu, you hold a very important role, you bear the heavy responsibility of driving the invaders away and recapture our land; you must not brave unnecessarily danger. Subordinate noticed that among the guards who surrounded the Emperor, the number of masters is truly not a few. Although Jiaozhu is divinely brave and skilled, ultimately you will be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. If you fail, what good will it bring?"

Zhang Wuji cupped his fists and said, "I receive Da Shi's invaluable advice."

Zhou Zhiruo sighed and said, "What Peng Da Shi said was absolutely right; how can you recklessly brave danger? Wait until our great undertaking is accomplished, then the one sits on this dragon-chair platform will be you, Zhang Jiaozhu."

Han Lin'er clapped his hands; he said, "That time, Jiaozhu will be the Emperor, Miss Zhou will be the Empress, Yang Zuo Shi [left emissary Yang] and Peng Da Shi [different 'shi'] will be the Left and Right Prime Ministers. Now, that will be good!"

Zhou Zhiruo's cheeks blushed, she bashfully lowered her head, but the corner of her eyes revealed that she was extremely happy.

Zhang Wuji repeatedly shook his hands. "Han Xiongdi," he said, "You cannot say such thing again. Our Cult's goal is to save the common people under the Heaven from the fire and the water. The goal accomplished, we retire. Don't be greedy of riches and honor. That is the character of upright and real men."