Chapter 144
Chapter 144
Jin Mucong was dumbfounded.
‘I know it’s utter nonsense, but why does it sound so reasonable?’
Shen Lang patted the fatty’s shoulder.
“Sigh, you wouldn’t know about these things. A fatty like you has probably only been bitten by dogs, never by a woman.”
At that moment, tears welled up in Jin Mucong’s eyes, and he slumped to the ground, overcome with grief and indignation.
‘Shen Lang, how could you say something so hurtful? Just you wait. Just you wait. From this day forward, I, Jin Mucong, will never… call you brother-in-law again.’
Then, Jin Mucong once again began to furiously copy the new policy essays and poems Shen Lang had written for him.
‘I will channel my fury into strength. With this strength, I will copy and memorize all of this. Tang Yun, just you wait. So you placed third in the imperial examination? Third in the palace examination? In tomorrow’s literary competition, I will crush you. I must! I will win and prove that I am not someone you can bully and treat lightly! I’ll show you that even a fatty can get things done!
You handsome men think you can get whatever you want, don’t you? Some handsome men might, but you, Tang Yun, are the exception. I, Jin Mucong, may not be able to take on my brother-in-law, but I can certainly take you on! Ptooey! I take that back. I said I wouldn’t call him brother-in-law! In any case, tomorrow, I, Jin Mucong, will astound the world.’
***
In another part of the Nujiang Commandery hunting grounds, the Count of Jinhai’s faction was stationed. A tense and heavy atmosphere hung over their camp. Jin Mulan’s victory today had been a stunning blow to them.
“There are still two matches left, are there not? Besides, in the second match, Young Master Tang Yun will be competing against that idiot Jin Mucong. He is certain to win.”
Everyone nodded. If they couldn’t win the second match, it would be as if the whole world had collapsed. It was a contest between a top scholar and an imbecile; he could win with his eyes closed.
“So the key is tomorrow’s military competition.”
Governor Zhu Rong asked.
“Count Jinhai, are you confident you can win the military competition?”
“Yes. The quality of the iron ore we produce is superior, so the forged steel is also purer and stronger. I can confidently say that both our armor and weapons are far superior to those of the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate.”
Someone else remarked.
“The Count of Xuanwu’s Estate produces poor-quality iron, so they will probably buy iron from an external source to make their armor and weapons.”
“Hahaha, let them search all they want. In the end, they will realize that the iron from our Gold Mountain Island is the best.”
The iron produced by the Count of Jinhai’s Estate was of such high quality that it was supplied to the army of Yue. One-fifth of the weapons and armor used by the Yue military came from the Count of Jinhai’s foundries. Thanks to this, even with a small fief, the Count of Jinhai could maintain a private army of three thousand men, and his family’s influence had grown ever more prosperous.
Count Tang Lun of Jinhai didn't add that the best iron from their foundries was reserved for his own family, or that they had discovered a new formula last year that had elevated the strength of their steel by another level. The weapons forged with this new formula were sharper, and the armor was sturdier. Their weapons and equipment were already two grades higher than the Count of Xuanwu's, and with this new improvement, they would be three grades higher. It would be harder to lose the military competition even if they tried.
The Count of Jinhai said, “My family will certainly win the military competition. So, Governor and esteemed gentlemen, you need not worry.”
They were all in the same boat; if the Count of Jinhai’s Estate were to lose this contest, their losses would be immense. Just then, Zhang Chong shook his head.
“No. It will not be an easy victory.”
Count Tang Lun of Jinhai hesitated for a moment, then looked at Zhang Chong and said, “Prefect, please follow me.”
Count Tang Lun led Zhang Chong to a warehouse guarded by several hundred of his estate's warriors. Inside, over a hundred chests were stacked high. The Count opened one of them and took out a battle saber. The surface of the blade was still slick with oil.
“Prefect, please examine this saber.”
Zhang Chong took the saber, lightly touching the blade with his fingers as he inspected it closely.
“This saber seems far superior to the ones the Count of Jinhai’s Estate has made in the past. It’s even better than the battle sabers used by the most elite forces of Yue. An excellent blade, truly well-made!”
“This is a battle saber forged with our family’s new formula. We’ve produced better steel, and its strength has increased by more than ten percent. Bring the other one.”
A moment later, a warrior brought another battle saber.
“This is a battle saber from the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate. Prefect, please examine it. This is the finest blade they can produce.”
As soon as Zhang Chong inspected the saber, he could tell the difference. The Count of Xuanwu’s blade lacked purity, and its color was uneven. Zhang Chong clashed the two sabers together.
Clang!
The moment Zhang Chong struck them together with force, the battle saber from the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate snapped in two. In contrast, the Count of Jinhai’s saber had only a single chip in its edge. This alone showed the vast difference in quality.
Count Tang Lun of Jinhai said, “Prefect Zhang, why don’t you try cutting the Count of Xuanwu’s armor with our saber?”
Zhang Chong raised the saber and struck the armor worn by a wooden mannequin.
Clatter.
A long gash instantly appeared on the armor, and it split apart. The quality of the armor was similar to that of the saber. Not only had it split, but there were also signs of shattering, indicating it was extremely brittle.
Count Tang Lun of Jinhai said, “The elite warriors of our two families are of similar skill. However, our family’s weapons and equipment are far superior to those of the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate. We will secure a decisive victory in the military competition.”
Frankly, the new steel forged by the Count of Jinhai’s Estate was of exceptionally high quality. However, it was still inferior to the steel Shen Lang had forged with his new formula. Moreover, the new weapons Shen Lang had designed were quenched and tempered, drastically increasing their strength and durability. Thus, the weapons and equipment of the two sides were on completely different levels compared to what they had used before.
“Prefect, can you rest assured now?”
Normally, he should have been, but for some reason, the image of Shen Lang’s face—especially the look he exchanged with his daughter—flashed in Zhang Chong's mind, and he could not feel at ease.
‘Was that the face of a man in despair? No, that bastard definitely has a plan. Shen Lang is as cunning as a nine-tailed fox. Things will absolutely not go smoothly.’
“The Count of Jinhai has certainly made sufficient preparations.”
“Even in the past disputes over Gold Mountain Island, our family may have lost individual duels, but we have never lost a military competition.”
“Tang Yan had never lost before either.”
“Swordsmanship is a one-on-one duel. The outcome is decided in an instant, so a fluke victory is possible. But a military competition is determined by the overall strength of the army and the quality of its equipment. We will undoubtedly win tomorrow’s competition, so the Prefect should not worry.”
Zhang Chong shook his head.
“No, we must not take this lightly. There can be no room for error!”
Zhang Chong hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Go to the Count of Jing'an and Marquis Zhenyuan’s son. Borrow some of their men. We will add these experts to our ranks and have them participate in tomorrow’s military competition.”
Tang Lun asked, puzzled, “Borrow men at a time like this? The price will be steep.”
“How steep can it be? Compared to winning the Gold Mountain Island dispute, paying a small price is nothing.”
The private armies of the Count of Jinhai’s and Count of Xuanwu’s Estates were composed of elite soldiers and included a fair number of experts, but their numbers were still limited. However, the Marquis of Zhenyuan commanded an army of nearly a hundred thousand, and the Count of Jing'an commanded tens of thousands. The number of experts at their disposal far surpassed what the two families had.
Count Tang Lun of Jinhai hesitated. In his view, victory in the military competition was certain. To borrow experts at this stage… the cost would surely be enormous. Even if he won and gained a fortune, giving away so much would mean he wouldn't get to keep much of the profit. He was reluctant.
Zhang Chong scolded him angrily.
“Count Jinhai, do not ruin things. Bring Prince Nangong Ping and the Count of Jing'an here, and I will speak to them about borrowing their experts.”
The Count hesitated for a long while before finally nodding.
“Then I will follow the Prefect’s counsel.”
“I will go and inform His Highness Prince Ying Qi that I am borrowing experts.”
“Is that necessary?”
***
At the peak of a mountain in the Nujiang Commandery hunting grounds stood a fortress, the residence of the most honored judges. Inside, Prince Ying Qi frowned as he listened to Zhang Chong’s report.
“Prefect Zhang, you should not have told me about this.”
“I did not dare to conceal it.”
“I am seventy-eight years old this year. I do not wish to lose my honor in my twilight years.”
“While this action may not be entirely aboveboard, it is not cheating. There is a precedent from past Gold Mountain Island disputes. Forty years ago, the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate also borrowed warriors from another noble house to participate in the military competition. They still lost, however, because their equipment was too inferior.”
Ying Qi thought for a moment, then said, “Wait here.”
“Yes.”
***
Prince Ying Qi went to consult with Suo Xuan and Duke Bian Wu. Suo Xuan remained silent, and Bian Wu frowned. Neither of them said a word. A short while later, Prince Ying Qi summoned Zhang Chong again.
“Prefect Zhang.”
“Yes.”
“We must proceed with fairness. Since the Count of Jinhai has borrowed men, we must allow the Count of Xuanwu to do the same.”
“Yes!”
“We must uphold the King’s will, but fairness is the prerequisite. Otherwise, even in victory, we would tarnish the King’s prestige. Prefect Zhang, you must not think that we will be swayed by personal feelings and favor one side in our judgment.”
Zhang Chong bowed and said, “I would not dare to think such a thing.”
“Especially in the literary competition, even though judging the outcome involves subjective opinion, you must not think we will show any favoritism. The essays written by the two families must be made public, and if we were to take sides, we old men would see our honor ruined in our final years.”
Zhang Chong bowed once more.
“I would not dare to hope for such a thing. After Tang Yun and Jin Mucong write their essays, we will randomly select two people to copy their poems and essays, ensuring complete anonymity to determine the winner. There will be no possibility of cheating.”
“Very well, then!”
Everyone believed that Tang Yun could defeat Jin Mucong in the literary competition with his eyes closed. A man who had placed third in the imperial examination could beat Jin Mucong even if he wrote with his feet. What need was there for cheating?
“You may go.”
***
Under Zhang Chong’s direction, the Count of Jinhai’s Estate borrowed twenty top experts from the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s army in exchange for five warships, and ten top experts from the Count of Jing'an’s Estate in exchange for two thousand *mu* of land. They demanded an exorbitant price for lending their experts. However, Tang Lun would not be paying for it himself; it was to be taken from the Count of Xuanwu’s assets, which would be divided up later.
The Jin Clan had not even fallen, yet Zhang Chong and Tang Lun were already using the Count of Xuanwu's wealth to buy experts to bring him down. The world was full of such absurdities. But an even greater absurdity was yet to come. The Count of Jinhai and Zhang Chong received an unexpected visitor.
“I have ten elite soldiers whom I would like to have join the Count of Jinhai’s army to gain experience.”
It was Su Jianting, the heir to the Marquis of Zhenyuan. While others had lent their experts to the Count of Jinhai only after being promised astronomical rewards, Su Jianting, the heir to the Marquis, offered his experts voluntarily, asking for nothing in return. Were there so many good-hearted people in the world? Su Jianting’s actions left both the Count of Jinhai and Zhang Chong dumbfounded.
‘How can this be? The Marquis of Zhenyuan’s house is the head of the old aristocracy and related to the Count of Xuanwu by marriage. At such a crucial moment, they aren’t helping the Count of Xuanwu? This is like not only throwing a stone at a man who has fallen into a well but delivering a fatal blow. To lend experts not to the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate but to their enemy.’
Zhang Chong had never imagined the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s house could be so shameless. This gave him a new perspective on their character. He wanted to ask Su Jianting why he was lending his experts, but as a seasoned and cunning politician, he would never ask such a question. Instead, he bowed and said.
“I will not forget the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s contribution to this just cause and will report it faithfully to the King in the future.”
Su Jianting simply smiled and departed. The Su Clan had acted unusually, but they felt no need to explain themselves.
At dawn, dozens of military experts silently entered the Nujiang Commandery hunting grounds, changed into the armor of the Count of Jinhai’s Estate, and armed themselves until only their eyes were visible, easily transforming into warriors of the Count of Jinhai. The leader of the experts sent from the Count of Jing'an’s Estate was his adopted son, Wu Yuanbo.