Chapter Fifty-Six: The Gift of Meeting

Meng City lay at the foot of Mount Meng, its walls long since fallen into disrepair, thick with wild grass and weeds. After spending an entire day touring his domain, Meng Di could only force a bitter smile—this land was truly barren. The terrain was rugged, with no large stretches of open plain; by the standards of the State of Lu, it was the very definition of desolate mountains and treacherous waters.

Within the entire domain, the population was smaller than the retinue he had brought with him. As for the descendants of the Meng clan, they amounted to little more than a small hamlet near the city, no more than a dozen households.

The villagers, anxious and uneasy at his arrival, pushed forward an elder whose words whistled through missing teeth to speak on their behalf.

These people, Meng Di thought, must all be his distant ancestors in some sense.

He understood that the villagers led isolated lives and had a limited outlook. Now that he had arrived, the Meng clan would naturally prosper once more, but there was no need to hurry. He rewarded them with some silver and grain, then returned to the city.

The most pressing issues were still population and food. According to his agreement with Yang Hu, he would have to forcibly relocate the people of Fei City to bolster his own territory’s numbers, but the question of food remained unresolved.

“My lord, the bronze swords we brought from the Han lands can now prove their worth.”

“Very well. It’s also time to pay a visit to our neighbor. But this is an important matter; I must trouble you to go in person,” Meng Di said.

“Of course,” said Ji Ran, accepting the charge without protest.

Meng Di ordered fifty bronze swords to be sent with Ji Ran on his journey to Fei City.

“My lord, are all these swords meant as gifts for Gongshan Buniu?”

“Not exactly. More precisely, they’re to be exchanged for grain.”

What splendid swords! Liuxia Zhi nearly drooled at the sight. If his men could be so well equipped, even the official army of Lu would be nothing to fear.

“If there isn’t enough grain, why not just take it by force? Why waste these precious blades?” he asked.

“Precious blades?” Han Zhan, standing nearby, chuckled, as if mocking his ignorance.

Liuxia Zhi suddenly remembered it was this very man who had snapped his so-called treasured sword in two with a single blow last time, and he felt both embarrassed and angry.

“Enough. You are no longer a bandit lord, and must not resort to robbery,” Meng Di said, his tone pausing before he continued, “Besides, with Fei City’s towering walls and numerous soldiers, do you really think you could succeed?”

“No,” Liuxia Zhi admitted, deeply ashamed.

After Ji Ran’s departure, Liuxia Zhi was left behind.

“My lord, are you dissatisfied with what I just said?” Liuxia Zhi asked uneasily.

“What did you say just now?” Meng Di looked puzzled. “Ah, there’s something I’d like you to do for me.”

“Please, command me as you wish.”

“Do you have an elder brother named Liuxia Ji?”

“Yes, he’s a court official—everyone in Lu knows it,” Liuxia Zhi replied frankly.

“Your brother is quite concerned about you—he even came to plead for you.”

“My brother is a man of integrity. Of all my kin, he alone has always treated me sincerely. Thinking about it, I do feel I’ve let him down,” Liuxia Zhi said with some emotion.

“That makes things easier. You should go and see your brother.”

“My lord, you’re sending me away?” Liuxia Zhi was startled.

“Of course not. There are great things yet to be done and I will need your help. Why would I send you away?” Meng Di laughed.

Liuxia Zhi was more confused than ever.

“Your brother is close to the Marquis of Lu. You are to slip back to Qufu, contact him, and find a way to inform the Marquis that the Meng clan can secretly aid him.”

Liuxia Zhi’s eyes lit up in surprise. “My lord, you seem to have great ambitions. Do you mean to challenge Yang Hu and the Three Huan?”

“It’s too soon to speak of such things. I am only keeping my options open. Remember, this is a matter of utmost secrecy—no one else must know,” Meng Di cautioned solemnly.

Fei City was a metropolis of ten thousand households, though in reality it controlled even more. Its walls were broad and towered several stories high, far exceeding the standards laid out by the Zhou rites.

Gongshan Buniu received Ji Ran and his party on the drill grounds.

“Well?” Gongshan Buniu gestured at the neatly arrayed soldiers.

“I never imagined Lu would have such a strong army!” Ji Ran feigned astonishment.

“Hahaha!” Gongshan Buniu laughed with pride. “I’ve heard your master even managed to wipe out the bandit lord Zhi. How does my army compare?”

“The bandit’s forces were a rabble; my master’s victory was but a stroke of luck. They are nothing compared to the tiger-like soldiers under your command,” Ji Ran replied with modesty, waving a dismissive hand.

Gongshan Buniu was even more pleased. “I have long heard of your reputation, Master Yufu. I even sent men to seek you out. With your talent, it’s a shame to stay in little Meng City. Why not serve me instead?”

“I am honored by your regard, my lord. But having pledged myself to the Meng clan, I cannot betray my master.”

Gongshan Buniu snorted in displeasure, seemingly losing interest in conversation, and turned his full attention to the soldiers’ drill.

Ji Ran was unbothered, quietly observing and occasionally offering praise.

After a long while, it was Gongshan Buniu himself who lost patience. “Is there nothing else you’ve come for, sir?”

“In addition to paying my respects, I wished to propose a trade with Fei City,” Ji Ran said, rising and bowing with perfect composure.

“A trade? What could Meng City possibly have to offer?”

“Grain,” Ji Ran said, and had his men present the bronze swords.

“These are swords from the state of Yue!” Gongshan Buniu and his confidants stood up at once, unable to take their eyes off the beautifully crafted weapons, which gleamed in the sunlight.

“Indeed,” Ji Ran replied, well aware that although Fei City was wealthy, it lacked the means to forge swords. Its soldiers carried only long spears.

Gongshan Buniu could not look away. He picked up one of the swords, swung it a few times, and praised, “Excellent, excellent!”

The copper and tin needed for forging, along with the skilled craftsmen, were all controlled by Yang Hu and the Meng clan. If Gongshan Buniu wanted such swords, trade was his only option. Yet Yang Hu and the Three Huan regarded him with deep suspicion and would by no means allow Fei City to acquire such arms.

“These fine swords—for five hundred bushels of rice,” Ji Ran said with a smile.

“You’d trade a single sword for ten bushels of rice? You certainly drive a hard bargain, Master Yufu,” one of the confidants sneered.

“What does Lord Fei think?” Ji Ran ignored the others, addressing Gongshan Buniu.

“What do I think?” Gongshan Buniu continued to toy with the bronze sword in his hand and said offhandedly, “No deal. Not even a single bushel.”

“In that case, I’ll take these swords back with me,” Ji Ran replied.

“Take them back?” Gongshan Buniu laughed uproariously. “The Meng clan’s heir doesn’t even know proper etiquette, failing to come himself to pay respects. For your sake, I’ll let it pass, but as for these swords, they’re not leaving.”

The others laughed as well. This supposed Master Yufu seemed unworthy of his reputation. He brought gifts to their very door and thought he could take them back again! Scholars really were hopelessly naïve.

Gongshan Buniu glanced sidelong at him, curious to see if he would be flustered or angry.

“No matter. Since Lord Fei is so fond of them, consider them a token of my master’s respect,” Ji Ran said, unconcerned.

Now it was Gongshan Buniu’s turn to be puzzled. “Is your master truly so generous? All these swords are just a gift?”

“Indeed.”