Chapter 55: Concealing Merit and Fame

The three of them were somewhat puzzled.

Logically speaking, Feng Lingbo's side should already know that they were short of money. Otherwise, why would they have needed to brazenly "borrow" from Feng Ruonan in the first place? Delaying repayment for a while and scraping together the money after reaching Canglu County did not seem like much of a problem.

Lan Ruoting asked, confused, "Surely Feng Lingbo wouldn't delay important business over a mere ten thousand gold coins?"

Everyone knew what he meant by important business: the hundred thousand Crow Generals. None of the three believed Feng Lingbo would let the trivial matter of ten thousand gold coins interfere with something as important as the hundred thousand Crow Generals. They all thought that if Lan Ruoting swallowed his pride and raised the matter, there should not be much difficulty. Niu Youdao opened his mouth, then stopped himself.

He suspected someone at the Commandery Governor's residence was waiting specifically for a chance to vent their anger on this group. Peng Yulan had thrown down those harsh words in public. If she simply swallowed them now, how much face would she lose? Who knew how large a basin of abuse she had prepared to dump over their heads? Unfortunately, because he had shifted responsibility at the time, he could not explain that part to Shang Chaozong. He could only offer a well-meant warning.

"Your Highness, men may be broad-minded, but women aren't necessarily so easy to deal with. Peng Yulan probably wants to vent some anger for her daughter. With her standing in front of you, I doubt you'll get to see Feng Lingbo without swallowing a little humiliation first."

Then he spread his hands.

"Of course, that's only my guess. If you think it'll be fine, then fine. I didn't rest well last night, so I won't accompany you. I'm going back to sleep for a while."

With that, he cupped his hands in farewell, plainly determined not to go.

He did not care.

If Shang Chaozong had to suffer a little hardship or grievance over this, it would not affect the larger situation. In the end, the woman who was supposed to marry would still marry, and the man who was supposed to take a wife would still do so. It was not Niu Youdao losing face anyway. Seeing him turn toward the room, Shang Chaozong hurried forward and grabbed his arm.

Forcing a smile, he said, "Master Dao, perhaps you could explain yourself a little more clearly."

Of everyone involved, Shang Chaozong was actually the most uneasy. He might not fear charging onto a battlefield, killing and being killed, or even losing his head. But this was the first marriage of his life. Any man could understand the feeling of meeting one's future father- and mother-in-law for the first time.

Worse, he was marrying their daughter at precisely the point when his own position was weakest. Worst of all, Niu Youdao had created this entire mess and left Shang Chaozong to carry the blame.

Just imagining the embarrassment had been enough to keep him tossing and turning all night without closing his eyes. Now Niu Youdao was giving him yet another ominous signal.

His unease only deepened.

Niu Youdao turned his head and glanced at the hand gripping his arm. Yuan Gang also looked sidelong at Shang Chaozong's presumptuous hand. He almost moved to stop him, lifting one hand slightly before lowering it again.

In their previous life, Yuan Gang would never have allowed anyone to behave so discourteously toward Master Dao so easily. But his present judgment was that Shang Chaozong meant no harm. Shang Chaozong also realized he had lost composure and quickly let go.

Niu Youdao smiled. "I've already said it clearly. It's nothing major, just what I told you. Still, I would recommend that Your Highness get the money before you go. Better to be prepared. You'll speak with more confidence that way, won't you?"

Shang Chaozong was speechless.

How was that any different from saying nothing?

He smiled bitterly. "I truly cannot produce it right now. If I could, why would this be so difficult?"

Niu Youdao looked surprised. "A dignified Commandery Prince with several hundred men under him, and you're stumped by a mere ten thousand gold coins? Aren't those men and horses themselves money?"

Shang Chaozong did not know whether to laugh or cry. "I can't exactly drag my men out and sell them."

Niu Youdao sighed. "You can't sell the men, but you can sell the horses. Sell some of these horses and scrape things together—you'd get well over ten thousand gold coins, wouldn't you?"

That much was true.

In an age of constant war, horses were unquestionably precious resources. Warhorses in particular commanded high prices.

"..."

Shang Chaozong had nothing to say. He badly wanted to ask what kind of rotten idea this was. Never mind that a warhorse was a cavalryman's second life. If they sold the horses, were they supposed to walk all the way to Canglu County? Carry all their baggage on their backs? Or were they supposed to turn around and ask Feng Lingbo to lend them horses afterward?

He frowned. "Selling warhorses doesn't seem appropriate."

Niu Youdao rolled his eyes, then said with perfect seriousness, "Who told you to actually sell them? Spread word that Feng Lingbo thinks the betrothal gifts are too meager, so Your Highness has no choice but to sell warhorses to supplement them. Then lead some of the horses out and parade them around the streets. Wouldn't that solve the problem?"

Lan Ruoting and Shang Shuqing both froze. Then their eyes lit up as they understood his intention. The point was to make Feng Lingbo unable to afford the loss of face. The moment word reached him, Feng Lingbo would naturally send someone to stop them from selling the horses. And naturally, no one would continue pressing them to repay the money.

"Master Dao's insight is excellent!"

Lan Ruoting cupped his hands in genuine admiration. Beneath her veil, Shang Shuqing smiled brightly. Her gaze toward Niu Youdao shone.

This was only a small matter, but seeing firsthand how casually he dissolved it gave her another glimpse of the whole through one small part. Once again, Yuan Gang's earlier words struck home. She and her brother truly had encountered an extraordinary man. Shang Chaozong understood the idea as well. Feng Lingbo would never want the people of his own commandery capital saying he was greedy and insatiable.

Yet because Shang Chaozong was personally involved in the marriage, he still worried over every gain and loss.

"Feng Lingbo isn't a fool. The intention is so obvious. How could he fail to see through us? If we do this, won't he look down on us?"

Niu Youdao shook his head repeatedly.

"We aren't cheating or harming anyone. What does a little face matter? Does Your Highness really care so much about losing this tiny bit of face?"

Then a teasing note entered his voice.

"Or perhaps... Your Highness cares a great deal about Feng Ruonan and is nervous about marrying her?"

Shang Chaozong certainly did not care about Feng Ruonan in that sense. But it was true that he was nervous. Having his thoughts exposed made him somewhat embarrassed. Niu Youdao chuckled, cupped his hands, and said no more. He had already explained this far. Whether they did it or not was their choice. He turned and left, wandering into the gardens. He had not properly examined the layout of this estate the night before.

A while later, Yuan Gang quickly caught up from behind and followed at his side.

"Master Dao, they've left. Judging from the movement, they're probably going to do what you suggested."

Niu Youdao stopped beside a pond.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he said slowly, "Once this marriage is settled, the lingering danger from the Shangqing Sect should be gone. Even if the sect doesn't collapse, I doubt they'll have the leisure to deal with me anymore. We should be able to turn the page on the Shangqing Sect."

He paused.

"Next is the Song clan. The difference in strength between us and them is enormous. That's going to be more troublesome."

Yuan Gang remained silent.

He sighed inwardly.

So Master Dao had long since entertained the idea of destroying the Shangqing Sect to eliminate the future threat. It seemed Master Dao truly had no feelings for Tang Yi. He had never cared about whether she lived or died...

"Seriously? I saw it with my own eyes the day before yesterday. There was a whole long procession of betrothal gifts, and they still think it wasn't enough?"

"Do you know who General Feng Ruonan is? How could she be married off lightly? But to force a Commandery Prince to the point of selling warhorses—just how much more is the Commandery Governor demanding?"

On the streets of the commandery capital, a group of personal guards slowly led horses along while passersby on both sides pointed and whispered.

At the Commandery Governor's residence, Feng Lingbo and Peng Yulan sat talking in a pavilion while waiting for Shang Chaozong to come pay his respects. Steward Shounian hurried over and reported what was happening outside. Feng Lingbo slowly turned his head and stared at him.

"Selling warhorses to supplement the betrothal gifts? When did I ever demand more betrothal gifts from him?"

Shounian said quietly, "It is probably about repaying the ten thousand gold coins."

Feng Lingbo's face darkened.

"Repayment is repayment. Why drag the betrothal gifts into it?"

Peng Yulan's expression tightened as well.

She had begun to understand.

Grinding her teeth, she said, "A pack of petty men. They're trying to repudiate the debt!"

Feng Lingbo sneered.

"That Lan Ruoting certainly has no shortage of tricks. I'm becoming more interested in meeting him..."

He tilted his head toward Shounian.

"Go personally. Tell them the matter of the ten thousand gold coins is forgotten. Have them stop making a spectacle and come see me at once!"

"Yes!"

Shounian accepted the order and left. Peng Yulan sat there with a cold expression and did not object. She understood very well that Feng Lingbo's reputation among the people of Guangyi Commandery was comparatively good.

That reputation was popular support.

It was also one of the foundations that allowed him to resist the imperial court. Her husband's name in this commandery capital was not something ten thousand gold coins could buy.

If she continued pressing them and they went back out to sell horses again, they would disgust her to death. This time it was her turn to swallow the frustration. Not long afterward, Shang Chaozong's party arrived. Host and guests met in the main reception hall. Feng Lingbo and Peng Yulan both rose and saluted.

"Greetings, Commandery Prince!"

After all, they had not yet rebelled. The formal hierarchy of ranks still existed, even if only for courtesy. Once the ritual greeting was over, however, Shang Chaozong was more or less left to one side.

"Mr. Lan, I've long heard of your great name..."

Feng Lingbo laughed heartily, took the initiative to step forward, and caught Lan Ruoting by the arm with striking warmth. The friendliness was not entirely an act. He genuinely wanted to establish a relationship. People who reached a certain level naturally developed a certain breadth of mind.

One might be angry while being schemed against, but once the trick was over there was room to look back and savor it.

A man did not fear being schemed against nearly as much as he feared that the schemer possessed no ability. In these chaotic times, one person's strength could not overturn Heaven. Great things required a gathering of capable men.

After the two exchanged several flattering courtesies, Feng Lingbo teased with an amused look, "Mr. Lan, you haven't been entirely honorable. We haven't even met yet and you've already given this Commandery Governor one headache after another. Today you'll have to drink three penalty cups!"

"My purse is empty. Circumstances left me no choice. Shameful, shameful."

Lan Ruoting remained perfectly composed, untouched by favor or humiliation. Peng Yulan, meanwhile, pulled Shang Shuqing aside and spoke warmly with her, very much as though she intended to win over her daughter's future sister-in-law first. Only Shang Chaozong was left sitting alone with no one paying him much attention, slowly sipping tea.

Once the two sides actually began talking, Lan Ruoting handled the occasion with ease and showed no lack of bearing.

Feng Lingbo's admiration only grew.

Combined with his earlier experience of having been maneuvered around, he became even more convinced that Lan Ruoting was a rare talent. The thought of bringing the man under his own command naturally arose. Lan Ruoting was no ordinary figure himself. He possessed real strategic ability and could handle an occasion like this effortlessly. He simply did not specialize in the things Niu Youdao specialized in. When it came to planning military and political affairs, Niu Youdao might well be far inferior to him.

Niu Youdao's abilities could not be placed openly on the table and explained in grand terms. What Lan Ruoting discussed in a setting like this, however, went straight to the advantages and dangers of military and political matters, making Feng Lingbo nod and think deeply.

No matter how extravagantly Niu Youdao spoke, it was difficult for him to make Feng Lingbo openly nod in agreement the same way. The difference between the two men was obvious. Of course, Niu Youdao had never wanted this sort of limelight in the first place. As usual, he preferred to conceal his merit and fame. In short, after speaking at length, Feng Lingbo greatly appreciated Lan Ruoting.

The negotiations proceeded smoothly.

Since there was no advantage in delaying the marriage between Shang Chaozong and Feng Ruonan, they chose a nearby auspicious date. The wedding was set for three days later.

[End of Chapter 55]