Entering Liang Garden

Yao Yuanguang had no interest in the invitation from the King of King of Huainan. Having dealt with the royal family of the Great Han Dynasty before, Yao Yuanguang knew how troublesome and difficult these people were.

Moreover, compared to the Great Han Dynasty in Chang'an City, the royal court of Huainan was undoubtedly a level below.

If possible, Yao Yuanguang hoped that Zhang Xuezhou would try a different approach.

"No way," Zhang Xuezhou waved his hand in refusal. "I know you're looking for the Sacred Land's Lord, and I know some of her background, and I even have some connection with her, but I can't easily tell you!"

"You shouldn't just be a recommender for the King of Huainan. What do you want?" Yao Yuanguang asked in a low voice.

"I will only tell you what you need if you are willing to go to Huainan!" Zhang Xuezhou said.

"Goodbye!"

Seeing that Zhang Xuezhou was unyielding, Yao Yuanguang walked away decisively, without even turning his head.

"You're not in a hurry, and neither am I!"

Thinking of the people of Zhang Household Village who were imprisoned in Xiashi Mountain by the King of Huainan, Zhang Xuezhou could only take a deep breath as a response to Yao Yuanguang.

Yao Yuanguang used psychological tactics against him, and Zhang Xuezhou was also an expert in this area.

Right now, it all comes down to whose business is more important and who can't afford to delay.

Zhang Xuezhou couldn't guess Yao Yuanguang's actions, and Yao Yuanguang didn't understand that Zhang Xuezhou just wanted to save people.

Beishan, a place known for forging armor, weapons, coins, refining medicine, and cultivating herbs, was a coveted destination for commoners from Huainan.

If it weren't for the lack of freedom and being used as human medicine by the King of Huainan and others, Zhang Xuezhou would even think that working in Xiashi Mountain wasn't so bad, and was a good place to make a living.

As long as they don't use it for medicinal purposes, the people of Zhang Household Village will be relatively safe in Xiashi Mountain.

The rescue of Zhang Zhong and Lady Yourong fulfilled a great wish of Zhang Xuezhou, allowing him to remain calm.

"Let's go. We'll spend the night at Suiyang Post Station, then spend another night in Zhao territory, and after that, we'll enter Bohai Commandery!"

Zhang Xuezhou waved to Gongsun Hong, then stepped onto his mount.

He cracked his whip and spurred his horse away, followed by the indomitable Gongsun Hong.

The two men's mounts kicked up clouds of dust, forcing Yao Yuanguang, who was riding with an air of nonchalance, to repeatedly wave his sleeves to shield himself.

"Pah! You little thief, you're even more patient than me. Looks like you really don't have anything important to ask of me!"

Seeing Zhang Xuezhou and Gongsun Hong ride away without looking back, Yao Yuanguang spat out a mouthful of dust, a faint glint in his eyes.

Rivals are always rivals, and Yao Yuanguang felt that Zhang Xuezhou had never given him a moment's peace.

If he could, just like when he was driven out of Yangxin County by Zhang Xuezhou, Yao Yuanguang would not want to see this junior apprentice.

"Li Hongzhen should really discipline his disciples; they're always causing trouble for their elders!"

As Yao Yuanguang complained about Hongku, he couldn't help but think about his only fellow disciple.

"I wonder if he has managed to Yedie River Holy Land?"

One side pledged allegiance to the Immortal Court, while the other side pledged allegiance to the Yedie River Holy Land where the Dao Lord resided. Zhang Xuezhou, on the other hand, pledged allegiance to the Great Han Dynasty.

Each member of the Xiang family has their own destination and, inevitably, their own desires.

To control your opponent, you must first understand what they want.

For example, if Yao Yuanguang sought the elixir of longevity, and someone could provide a longevity-enhancing medicine that guaranteed its effectiveness while also protecting his life, it wouldn't be a problem to persuade Yao Yuanguang to defect.

Once Yao Yuanguang understands what Zhang Xuezhou wants, controlling Zhang Xuezhou will be easy and simple, instead of having to engage in a game of strategy like this.

In the power struggle between him and Zhang Xuezhou, each with their own needs, he took the initiative to launch an offensive, but little did he know that Zhang Xuezhou's counterattack would be even more fierce.

He could still let Zhang Xuezhou see his back, and if he could just call him back, he could do so. But Zhang Xuezhou simply spurred his horse and rode away, raising a cloud of dust. He couldn't catch up with him even if he took two steps.

In this game, Yao Yuanguang felt he had lost badly, and he still had to beg Zhang Xuezhou for help.

Yao Yuanguang did not think Zhang Xuezhou's strategic skills were superior; he believed that Zhang Xuezhou's failure stemmed from his unmet needs, which rendered his offensive ineffective.

But even though he lost the psychological battle, Yao Yuanguang felt he hadn't lost out. After all, his little test had already shown him that what Zhang Xuezhou wanted wouldn't be too troublesome.

If he wins, Yao Yuanguang will gain the upper hand.

He lost, and Yao Yuanguang will know that Zhang Xuezhou's demands were not high.

Both the former and the latter had an effect. Yao Yuanguang's slightly changing expression eventually returned to calm, and then, with a wave of his sleeves, he also approached Suiyang City.

"Speaking of which, I could even stay at room 273!"

Zhang Xuezhou delivered the official document at the Suiyang post station, while Gongsun Hong, as always, could only find a temporary inn nearby for lodging.

There was no official document, and he was not one of Zhang Xuezhou's attendants. Furthermore, his mount differed from the description in the document. Even if Gongsun Hong was a great cultivator, he had no right to stay at the Suiyang Post Station.

Zhang Xuezhou accompanied Gongsun Hong as they searched the surrounding area. After all the inns were full, he finally remembered that he had another place to stay.

"What do you mean by 'Second, Seventh, and Third Houses'?" Gongsun Hong asked.

"Rooms 273 of Liang Garden!"

Although King Liu Wu of Liang had passed away several years ago, Liang Garden was not demolished and was continued by Liu Mai, who succeeded him as King of Liang.

As long as they possess the Liangyuan Token, many Liangyuan guests can still enter Liangyuan and live their lives there.

Zhang Xuezhou spent a very short time at Liangyuan and didn't have any great abilities, but he did indeed possess a Liangyuan token.

After rummaging through the bag, Zhang Xuezhou also found the little prop that promised free food and lodging.

"Let's go, let's go! Let's not go back to the post station, let's stay at Liangyuan for the night!" Zhang Xuezhou said.

"I didn't realize you had this skill," Gongsun Hong said enviously. "Someone like me wouldn't even be allowed into Liang Garden!"

"You just don't want to get involved with State of Liang," Zhang Xuezhou said. "Getting in is as easy as lifting a finger!"

"Nonsense!"

Gongsun Hong chuckled.

However, Zhang Xuezhou is not wrong. As long as one is willing to put aside their pride, it wouldn't be difficult for Gongsun Hong to gain entry into Liangyuan.

Hongle to exchange ideas with learned scholars in Liang Garden, but he really didn't want to be labeled as a vassal of the King of Liang, lest he find it difficult to get along with others within the Confucian School community and be attacked. So, there was no problem with him going to Liang Garden temporarily with Zhang Xuezhou.

The two strode forward and arrived at the entrance of Liang Garden a quarter of an hour later.

Compared to the time when King Liu Wu of Liang was in power, Liang Garden was less lively at this time, with only a few dozen lamps flickering to indicate that there were people in the rooms.

The houses in the front row of Liang Garden were completely dark.

It wasn't just Sima Xiangru left; clearly, many other guests at Liangyuan also departed.

Zhang Xuezhou thought back to a few years ago when the guests of Liangyuan Garden were still leaning over the wall watching the excitement of the Prince's Mansion, and he couldn't help but feel that with the passage of time, everything had changed.

"Liang Garden may be beautiful, but it is not a place we would linger!"

Gongsun Hong muttered something under his breath and let Zhang Xuezhou hand out the nameplates.

Even the Liangyuan magistrate, who was ranked further back, was still a guest of Liangyuan, a position far beyond what a gatekeeper could attain.

Having verified the authenticity of the Liangyuan Decree, Gongsun Hong had already entered Liangyuan, a place known as a "secret paradise on earth," with Zhang Xuezhou.

"Palaces and temples are connected, rare fruits and beautiful trees, precious birds and exotic animals—all are present!"

Less than a hundred steps into Liang Garden, Gongsun Hong couldn't help but sigh at the scenery he saw.

Liang Garden represents the ultimate in extravagance, and it was only possible to build it with an enormous amount of wealth acquired through plunder.

The Liang Garden was built by the collective efforts of the people. For those who enjoy it, it is undoubtedly a place of comfort and happiness. But for the exploited, it is nothing more than a collection of the people's hard-earned money.

Gongsun Hong lamented that people could not see the connection between these events, and instead regarded it as the achievement of the King of Liang alone, and even took pride in it.

"Mr. Gongsun, please wait!"

Gongsun Hong only sighed a couple of times, when a guest room door opened and someone came out to greet him.

No one questioned Zhang Xuezhou, the guest of Liangyuan who was the rightful owner, but Gongsun Hong, who was just lodging there, was recognized.

"Zou Yang of the School of Diplomacy?"

Gongsun Hong observed the person leaving the house several times before recognizing their identity.