Chapter 51: That Works Too?

A moat and drawbridge lay outside the walls of Guangyi Commandery's capital. Before daybreak, the city gates opened and the bridge was lowered to let the common people pass. Once night fell, the bridge was raised and the gates shut. Anyone who failed to enter or leave before closing time either spent the night inside the city or slept outside. Ordinary people received no special accommodation.

It was said that when the Wu Dynasty had unified the realm, city gates had scarcely ever closed, day or night. Now that rival powers contended beneath Heaven, especially in places like Guangyi Commandery where local rulers held troops for their own ends, those days of doors left open through the night were long gone.

The area outside the city was not completely dark. Burning oil cauldrons had been set out at intervals, flames blazing high so the men on the walls could see anyone approaching. A small detachment remained stationed outside to tend the oil and keep the fires burning. At night, soldiers going up or down the walls were moved by hanging baskets.

Since Niu Youdao had come to welcome Shang Chaozong, Bai Yao brought him atop the city wall to wait.

Seeing Niu Youdao looking this way and that, seemingly quite interested in the defensive arrangements outside the city, Bai Yao almost began to suspect he was some spy sent to investigate the defenses—if not for knowing that made little sense.

What he did not know was that Niu Youdao, with his background in "archaeology," was simply fascinated by this sort of ancient nighttime defense system. There were things time erased so completely that no amount of archaeology could ever recover them.

Nor was Niu Youdao alone. Yuan Gang also paid close attention. After so many years following Master Dao, he had picked up a few occupational habits himself. They waited until deep into the night.

At last, clusters of torchlight appeared along the distant official road. The sight immediately drew the attention of the defenders atop the walls, and the commotion in turn roused Niu Youdao and the others, who had been resting in the gate tower.

Everyone came out to look.

Before long, nearly a thousand cavalrymen thundered toward the city. It was Shang Chaozong's party and the troops escorting them.

Looking up, Shang Chaozong and the others saw Niu Youdao standing beside a torch on the wall, waving in greeting. Yuan Gang stood beside him like a shadow, silent as ever, his expression permanently cold. Whatever else might be said, seeing Niu Youdao there put them somewhat at ease.

The two sides verified each other's identities from above and below. Once orders came down, the drawbridge was lowered and the city gates opened to admit the party. After everyone entered, the gates closed again and the bridge was raised.

Once Niu Youdao descended from the wall, he finally met Shang Chaozong and the others face-to-face. They exchanged cupped-hand greetings.

"Master Dao!"

Hearing Shang Chaozong and the others address Niu Youdao that way surprised both Bai Yao and Shounian.

Niu Youdao chuckled. "Your Highness, the Commandery Governor has already cleared out an estate for your party to stay in temporarily. It's late tonight. There will be time enough to pay your respects to the Commandery Governor tomorrow."

As he spoke, he blinked meaningfully. Shang Chaozong and the others had countless questions, but they caught the signal. With so many eyes and ears around them, this was not the place to talk.

They mounted again.

Under Shounian's guidance, the party soon reached a large estate within the city, spacious enough to house the several hundred people traveling with Shang Chaozong. Once Shounian delivered them there, he took his leave. His task was complete.

Shang Chaozong's personal guards temporarily took control of the estate and immediately searched it from top to bottom. It was not that they distrusted Feng Lingbo. This was simply necessary routine.

After confirming there were no problems, those due to rest rested, those due to stand watch stood watch, and patrols began making their rounds. The core members of Shang Chaozong's group entered the main courtyard.

Despite being covered in road dust and plainly exhausted from the journey, none had the slightest desire to rest. Guards were ordered to seal off the surroundings and prevent outsiders from approaching. Niu Youdao had already known they would have questions for him.

The moment he entered the reception room, Shang Chaozong impatiently asked, "Master Dao, I hear you've been arranging a marriage between Feng Ruonan and me. Is that true?"

Niu Youdao nodded with complete frankness. "Barring some accident, the matter should be practically settled. From what I can tell, Feng Lingbo is eager enough and won't drag things out. Your Highness will probably formally marry Feng Ruonan within the next few days."

He cheerfully cupped his hands.

"Congratulations in advance, Your Highness!"

With the matter confirmed, Lan Ruoting and Shang Shuqing looked at each other, then both turned to watch Shang Chaozong's reaction.

Shang Chaozong's expression twitched. "Master Dao, why didn't you discuss something this important with me beforehand?"

Niu Youdao sighed. "Ah, circumstances forced my hand. Feng Ruonan isn't exactly beautiful. I was afraid Your Highness might have trouble accepting it. You'll just have to make do!"

Yuan Gang remained silent.

He understood Master Dao too well. Master Dao still did not fully trust Shang Chaozong's group. When handling important matters, he would never reveal all his cards in advance. If something hidden existed within the group and someone interfered with the plan, the consequences could be dangerous. An old hand of the jianghu like Master Dao would never casually maneuver himself into a dead end.

This was hardly a question of whether Shang Chaozong could "make do."

He did not know whether to laugh or cry. Unfortunately, he also understood that his relationship with Niu Youdao was somewhat ambiguous. There were things he could not directly question too harshly or take a firm position on, for fear of provoking Niu Youdao's displeasure or creating some misunderstanding.

He was not stupid. He could see that Niu Youdao still held something back from them and had not truly committed himself.

Even Shang Shuqing had advised him not to go too far in what he said or did before Niu Youdao for the time being, lest unnecessary misunderstandings arise. Certain things were better left for her and Lan Ruoting to say.

Lan Ruoting pondered briefly, then asked, "Master Dao, does arranging this marriage have something to do with borrowing troops?"

Niu Youdao brightened and teased, "Once His Highness becomes Feng Lingbo's son-in-law, how could Feng Lingbo not protect him? Sending a few troops to His Highness would be perfectly normal."

"Master Dao, His Highness is anxious enough already. Don't tease him."

Lan Ruoting shook his head with a bitter smile, then raised several doubts.

"Why would Feng Lingbo agree to marry Feng Ruonan to His Highness? And even if he agrees to the marriage, why would he lend His Highness troops, much less send them with him to Canglu County? Surely he doesn't intend to keep His Highness in Guangyi Commandery. That would amount to openly defying an imperial decree, and Feng Lingbo has no need to invite that kind of trouble."

Seeing the dust and exhaustion on all three after their long journey, Niu Youdao stopped playing around.

His expression turned serious.

"Naturally, he wouldn't agree so easily. There is a condition. The condition is that we give him the hundred thousand Crow Generals."

"What?"

All three were shocked.

To them, the hundred thousand Crow Generals did not exist at all. None had imagined Niu Youdao would use something imaginary as a bargaining chip with Feng Lingbo.

Lan Ruoting said worriedly, "Something that doesn't exist, without even a shadow of proof—how could Feng Lingbo agree?"

Niu Youdao asked in return, "Who says it doesn't exist? Isn't the present emperor helping us prove it enough?"

The three froze, failing for a moment to follow his meaning.

"It's simple. Lay out the facts, explain the reasoning, and make Feng Lingbo believe the hundred thousand Crow Generals exist..."

Niu Youdao gave them a rough account of how he had persuaded Feng Lingbo. The underlying logic was genuinely simple. There was nothing especially difficult to understand. By the time he finished, realization dawned on all three.

They were also somewhat speechless.

That worked too?

Yet they had to admit the argument was well supported. Feng Lingbo would find it difficult not to believe it. No wonder he was even willing to marry off his daughter. The three had to hand it to Niu Youdao. He truly dared to make a move.

Shang Shuqing said with concern, "This can only deceive them for a while, not forever. What happens when the time comes and we cannot produce anything?"

Niu Youdao immediately objected. "Commandery Princess, I don't like the sound of that. How did this become deception when you said it? Do I look like a swindler?"

Shang Shuqing thought, What else would you call this?

Outwardly, however, she waved her hands. "Master Dao misunderstands. That isn't what I meant."

Niu Youdao said, "I know that isn't what you meant. I understand. No need to explain. Commandery Princess, this isn't called deception. It's called a method. How many thieves have you ever seen refuse to steal because they're worried about being caught? The jianghu is full of every sort of person, and every one of them wants a place to stand. So each shows his own abilities and relies on whatever skills he has. If you haven't even taken the first step and you're already afraid the boat might capsize, then don't play the game at all. By the time this is over, Feng Ruonan will already be His Highness's wife. What then? Is Feng Lingbo really going to kill his own son-in-law and make his daughter a widow? Besides, once the troops are in our hands, once we have a secure foothold and room to maneuver, we aren't dead men. Can living people really be defeated by needing to piss? Sooner or later, we'll turn the troops we've borrowed into our own troops. Over here, Feng Lingbo himself is only a puppet. The Tianyu Sect is probably the side that truly has the final say. In the end, everything comes down to one question: does His Highness have value to the Tianyu Sect? As long as he does, even if we openly tell them there are no hundred thousand Crow Generals, so what? They still won't discard him. Ultimately, it depends on whether His Highness can make himself worth their attention. If he has no value, then even if we really find the hundred thousand Crow Generals and hand them over, His Highness's situation still won't end particularly well. Commandery Princess, the hundred thousand Crow Generals are only a means of converting an opportunity into something usable. Don't waste your time worrying about how we'll explain ourselves later when we cannot hand them over. Think instead about how to use the capital we've borrowed to make a profit. Keep your eyes forward. Everything else is passing cloud. Riding through the jianghu—wind or rain, it makes no difference. When soldiers come, send a general to stop them; when floodwaters come, build a bank. What is there to fear?"

The line of reasoning was decidedly unconventional, unlike anything the three had heard before. Yet it suddenly cleared the fog from their minds.

The more they thought about it, the more sense it made. Their spirits lifted, and for the first time they felt a powerful confidence in the future.

"Master Dao's insight is profound. Shuqing has learned much."

Shang Shuqing respectfully cupped her hands and bowed. Behind the veil, her bright eyes drifted toward Yuan Gang once more. She remembered again what Yuan Gang had warned her before: Given your circumstances, the man Master Dao is matters more than his cultivation. The way Shang Chaozong looked at Niu Youdao changed as well. There was now a trace of solemn respect in his eyes. Lan Ruoting smiled bitterly to himself.

No wonder this fellow could talk Feng Lingbo into marrying off his daughter. That mouth of his could practically argue the dead back to life.

"It's nothing profound. I'm only facing reality."

Niu Youdao waved away Shang Shuqing's courtesy, then coughed lightly into his fist.

"Anyway, Your Highness, let's discuss something more practical."

He reached into his sleeve, rummaged around, and shook out a sheet of paper before handing it to Shang Chaozong.

"These are the expenses from handling the matter this time. Your Highness should find a way to settle them."

Shang Chaozong opened the sheet and read it. When he finished, he raised his head with a face full of suspicion.

"You borrowed money from Feng Ruonan?"

Niu Youdao gave an acknowledging sound. "Ten thousand gold coins. Originally, if she caught me out, I would've owed her one hundred thousand. I went to great lengths to save Your Highness the interest. Now you only need to repay the principal—ten thousand gold coins."

Lan Ruoting and Shang Shuqing were both curious about what was written on the paper.

They took turns reading it.

Only then did they discover it was a written wagering agreement.

[End of Chapter 51]