mtl008 Chapter 53 Zhao Gao Finds Xu Fu
Chapter 53 Zhao Gao Finds Xu Fu
After a full night's rest, Zhao Gao felt as if he had been reborn, refreshed and full of energy. However, having been accustomed to the swaying environment of the ship's cabin for so long, he felt the cave shaking as he rested there.
In addition, he felt as if he were floating in the air when he walked, and his legs were weak, which caused him considerable distress and discomfort. Nevertheless, the sense of reality when his feet were firmly planted on the ground made him feel happy and at ease.
Zhao Gao's sharp, hawk-like gaze swept over the natives. He then sent several men to keep a close watch on them to prevent them from escaping, while he himself led a few men to go out and investigate.
After giving a few brief instructions to his men, Zhao Gao led them out of the cave and headed outside. A slight chill touched his face, and Zhao Gao couldn't help but shiver, quickly wrapping his clothes tighter around himself.
He felt the climate on the island was warmer than in Xianyang, but it was still quite chilly in the mornings and evenings. He led his men through the tall trees and could see wisps of smoke rising from chimneys in the distance. Zhao Gao immediately ordered everyone to stop, and they all held their breath, quietly observing their surroundings.
Zhao Gao waved for his men to hold their positions, while he crept forward alone, quietly concealing himself behind the bushes to continue his reconnaissance. He keenly sensed that several people were busy at work not far ahead. Compared to the natives they had captured, these people were noticeably better dressed; at least they were no longer in dire straits. Some were cutting down trees, some were starting fires, and some were skinning animals—each performing their task in an orderly fashion.
Just as Zhao Gao was pondering how to communicate with these natives, a cry broke the silence. It turned out that one of the natives had discovered an injured fawn, and the other natives immediately gathered around, their eyes gleaming with excitement. They gestured and gesticulated wildly, as if celebrating this unexpected find.
Seeing this, Zhao Gao was secretly delighted, thinking that perhaps he could establish contact with the natives through this deer. He decided to wait for the right opportunity to deal with them.
Seeing the natives about to carry the deer away, Zhao Gao immediately stepped forward and shouted, "Wait!" The natives were startled by the sudden sound and looked over warily.
Zhao Gao emerged from the bushes and slowly approached the native. He smiled, trying to appear friendly, and raised his hands to indicate that he meant no harm.
The natives watched him nervously, without moving. Zhao Gao took a deep breath and said in the simplest language possible, "This deer is mine." Then he pointed to the deer and then to himself.
One of the natives, who appeared to be the leader, stepped forward and stared at Zhao Gao. He asked warily, "Who are you?"
Although Zhao Gao couldn't understand, he could tell from the other person's expression that he was asking who he was. So, Zhao Gao quickly came up with a plan and made up a story: "I am a messenger of the gods, here to inspect the area. This deer is a gift from the gods." He then pointed to the sky, then to himself, and then to the deer.
A hint of suspicion flashed in the chief's eyes. He whispered something to the native beside him, who then turned and ran away like the wind.
The chieftain kept his eyes fixed on Zhao Gao, who, without fear, stared directly at the chieftain. A short while later, the departing native returned, followed closely by a white-haired, venerable man.
Upon seeing this, Zhao Gao immediately thought of Xu Fu. However, he had never met Xu Fu, only heard that Xu Fu was a Taoist priest with a refined and otherworldly demeanor, but he had never heard that Xu Fu's beard, eyebrows, and hair were all white.
Zhao Gao remained unmoved, while the venerable man strolled over and stood before him, softly asking, "What country are you from?" Hearing this, Zhao Gao's suspicion that the man was Xu Fu deepened. He asked, "Are you Xu Fu?" The venerable man was clearly taken aback for a moment, then countered, "Do you know me?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Gao was certain that this person was Xu Fu. He excitedly stepped forward, grabbed Xu Fu's hand, and said, "Xu Fu, the sorcerer, I've been looking for you for so long!"
Xu Fu looked puzzled and asked, "Who are you? Why are you looking for me?"
Zhao Gao immediately proclaimed, "I am Zhao Gao, the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office of the Great Qin. I have been ordered by the King of Qin to seek out the alchemist Xu to travel to Qin and develop an elixir of immortality for the King." Upon hearing this, Xu Fu's eyes suddenly lit up, and he eagerly asked, "Is what you say true?" Zhao Gao smiled and said, "Of course. You should quickly return to the Great Qin with me." With that, he reached out to pull Xu Fu away with him.
At this moment, the indigenous chieftain suddenly ordered his men to block the two's path, and then looked at Xu Fu and said, "Who is he? Do you know him?"
Xu Fu hurriedly said, “He is my servant.” Hearing Xu Fu’s words, the chief was very pleased. He grabbed Zhao Gao tightly and talked on and on.
Zhao Gao looked at Xu Fu with suspicion, and Xu Fu solemnly said, "What the leader means is that you were sent by the gods, so you are here to save them, and they welcome you very much."
Zhao Gao was stunned and asked incredulously, "You told them I was a divine messenger?"
Xu Fu shook his head repeatedly and said, "No, I told them you are my servant." Zhao Gao's eyes widened in anger, and he said furiously, "You actually said I am your servant?"
Seeing that Zhao Gao was about to lose his temper, Xu Fu quickly tried to persuade him, saying, "Minister of the Imperial Carriage Office, please calm down. This is a last resort. When I arrived here, I told the leader that I was a messenger of the gods, sent to save them. Since you happened to arrive, I said you were my servant, bringing the gods' message. Minister of the Imperial Carriage Office, you must believe me; this is truly just a temporary measure." After hearing Xu Fu's words, Zhao Gao, though still finding it hard to accept, could only helplessly acquiesce.
The two followed the chief and soon arrived at his house. The house, constructed of wood and stones, was extremely simple, resembling a dilapidated thatched hut on the verge of collapse. However, compared to the others who could only live in those crumbling huts, this house was already considered the best.
The chieftain enthusiastically ordered his men to skin the deer alive, remove the head, and place it before Zhao Gao, urging him to eat it. Zhao Gao stared at the raw, hairy deer head, feeling utterly disoriented. He looked pleadingly at Xu Fu, but Xu Fu kept his eyes closed, pretending not to see him. Seeing Xu Fu's indifference, Zhao Gao gritted his teeth, cut a piece of bloody flesh from the deer head, and took a bite. The pungent, fishy smell assaulted his senses like a tidal wave. Suppressing the urge to vomit, Zhao Gao chewed a few times and swallowed.
The chief was pleased to see Zhao Gao eat so quickly and rambled on, gesturing wildly. Zhao Gao probably understood that the chief was praising him, and he felt a little relieved, though he was still dissatisfied with Xu Fu's failure to come to his aid.