Thirty Years Later, Still a Fine Hero

He understood, and he was quite tempted, but he did not seem eager. Hesitating, he asked, "This Prince is lacking in talent and virtue. I fear I may not be suitable?"

Long Xiu said, "Your Highness is the Grand Marshal of Yan Kingdom, commanding the army to suppress the rebellion. It is only right and proper. No one is more suitable than you."

Shang Yongzhong smiled bitterly. "Palace Lord, I'm afraid this will not be easy. I do not have those hundred thousand iron cavalry under my command, nor can I cry out the slogan of sparing the rebels while purging the feudal lords. I cannot do it either. In truth, Palace Lord knows well enough that I simply cannot command those five feudal lords. Asking me to replace Shang Chaozong is making things difficult for me."

Long Xiu said, "You need not worry about that. Times have changed. Wu Gongling's rebel army is nothing more than this. The five feudal lords are confident of wiping them out. At present, they merely fear fighting their own separate battles and need someone to coordinate matters from the middle. In both status and position, Your Highness is the most suitable candidate. I have already spoken with Gong Lince and Meng Xuan."

Shang Yongzhong understood. They were not asking him to command the five feudal lords, only to coordinate them from the middle.

Yet he still did not dare agree so readily. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "How does Palace Lord intend to deal with Shang Chaozong?"

Long Xiu said, "The Elders of Xiaoyao Palace cannot have died for nothing. This Palace must give everyone in Xiaoyao Palace an explanation. Xiaoyao Palace cultivators have already been drawn from the eastern army and sent over. They will seize Shang Chaozong when the opportunity