Chapter Fifty-Seven: Trading Bronze for Grain

After receiving the gift, Gongshan Buniu became much more agreeable. He stopped watching the soldiers drill and hosted a banquet in honor of Ji Ran.

"Master, the Meng clan must still have more bronze swords," a subordinate whispered during the feast.

Indeed, to so casually give away dozens as a present, they must have many more. Gongshan Buniu's heart burned with desire, and he asked with a smile, "How many more treasured swords does the Meng clan have?"

"None left," Ji Ran replied, absorbed in the music and dance.

"Hmph!" Gongshan Buniu slapped the table. "Are you trying to deceive me?"

The music stopped abruptly, and the dancing girls trembled on the ground, not knowing what they had done wrong. Gongshan Buniu's face darkened, his hands gripping the table, his gaze fierce like a tiger ready to devour. Behind him, his guards held their spears, itching to act if the conversation soured.

"About... about a thousand more," Ji Ran stammered, frightened.

So it was true. Gongshan Buniu exchanged a meaningful glance with his confidant and ordered, "Men, Master Ji is unwell. Take him to rest."

The armored soldiers led the pale-faced Ji Ran away.

A thousand swords! While ordinary soldiers were not accustomed to bronze swords on the battlefield, they could be melted down to forge spears and halberds. With this, there would be no worries about weapons for years to come.

"Gentlemen, do you have any good strategies?" He dismissed the musicians and dancers; only his trusted aides remained for discussion.

"Why not seize this opportunity, when the Meng clan is not yet established, to send out all our town's troops and take these bronze swords?" suggested a belligerent advisor.

"Forcible seizure may not work," countered another, more cautious voice. "First, there’s no justification for such action; second, Yang Hu is watching closely. If he hears of it, he’ll certainly intervene, and then we’ll be caught between a tiger and a hard place."

Gongshan Buniu, though appearing rough, was actually shrewd. He waved his hand and said, "This must not be done openly. If we frighten the Meng clan away, we may never get such a chance again."

Someone had a sudden idea. "Since Meng Town lacks grain, why not use food to trade?"

"That’s just what the Meng clan wants! Besides, Fei Town’s reserves aren’t enough to exchange for so many bronze swords," many objected.

"We’ll use grain for the trade!" Gongshan Buniu pondered for a moment, then declared, "If the reserves aren’t enough, collect from the households. Once we have these bronze swords, we’ll never have to bow to others again."

Seeing their lord’s determination, no one argued further.

When Ji Ran was brought back, he still seemed shaken, stiffly bowing. "Lord Magistrate, I am unwell. May I return to Meng Town?"

"No rush, no rush. I hear Meng Town needs grain?"

"Indeed. I came precisely for the grain exchange. Without food, the Meng clan can only return to Qufu," Ji Ran replied with a bitter smile.

"Meng Town is the ancestral land of the Meng clan, hard-won and not to be easily abandoned," Gongshan Buniu said sincerely. "Fei Town and Meng Town are neighbors; as magistrate, I cannot let you perish."

"So, you agree to the grain exchange?" Ji Ran asked, delighted.

"Yes, but the exchange is for the remaining thousand bronze swords."

"This is impossible!" Ji Ran exclaimed in shock. "Without weapons, how can Meng Town be defended?"

"And without food, can you defend Meng Town?"

"Why does such a small town need so many weapons? Are you planning to threaten Fei Town?"

"Don't worry. The safety of Meng Town will be protected by Fei Town. The Meng clan can rest assured."

The group pressed Ji Ran with both persuasion and threat, but he only shook his head, refusing to agree.

Gongshan Buniu grew angry, kicking over the table and shouting, "If you don’t trade, I’ll personally bring troops tomorrow to take them!"

Ji Ran forced himself to appear calm, his voice trembling. "We are all vassals of the Marquis of Lu. Why must you press so hard?"

"If you must blame something, blame Meng Town’s weakness." Now that their relations were laid bare, Gongshan Buniu no longer feigned courtesy. "One word—will you trade or not?"

"Fine... I'll trade," Ji Ran said with difficulty. "One sword for ten bushels of grain."

Gongshan Buniu laughed triumphantly. Whether ten or one, without weapons, Meng Town would inevitably be at his mercy.

"Can you truly decide for the Meng clan?" someone questioned.

"My lord has always heeded my counsel," Ji Ran replied stiffly, as if feeling insulted.

"Very well, that's settled. In three days, we’ll exchange at the border. If the bronze swords are not delivered, don't blame me for turning hostile."

Ji Ran could only leave dejectedly.

"A useless fool. Good thing we didn’t keep him in Fei Town," Gongshan Buniu sneered at Ji Ran’s defeated figure.

Meng Town.

Meng Di personally welcomed Ji Ran into the main tent. Meng Town was still too busy to rebuild, and the Han army was camped nearby.

"Master, you must have suffered," Meng Di said, knowing the trip to Fei Town would not be easy.

"I did not fail. The exchange is in three days, or Fei Town will attack."

"Good, everything is as you predicted," Meng Di replied.

Qufu, Palace of Lu.

"Is this truly what your younger brother said?" Ji Song’s eyes shone.

"He did, my lord. Would you like to meet him personally?" Liu Xia Ji asked formally.

After pacing for some time, Ji Song said, "No, there are too many eyes in the palace. Let all messages pass through you."

At this moment, the Marquis of Lu was sharp and energetic, nothing like his usual dull and wooden self.

"Does my lord truly believe what the Meng clan says?"

"What choice do I have? With the Three Huan ahead and Yang Hu behind, could the situation be any worse?"

"My incompetence shames me before my lord!" Liu Xia Ji knelt.

Ji Song waved his hand. "It’s not your fault; this is my fate. But now, with the Meng clan as a new element, perhaps there is a chance for change. You and I must examine it closely."

Yang Hu’s residence.

"Meng Di sent swords to Zi Xie?"

"Yes, fifty bronze swords, I hear."

"Yang Zi, the Meng clan is ungrateful. If they join forces with Gongshan Buniu, won’t all our efforts be wasted?" Uncle Sun Zhe said angrily.

Ji Wu was fond of Meng Di, but now dared not speak up. If Uncle Sun Zhe was right, he too would not escape Yang Hu’s wrath.

"No hurry," Yang Hu mused. "I see Meng Di as one with ambition and depth. He won't willingly be subordinate to Zi Xie. Let's watch and wait."

Grand Chamberlain’s residence.

Zhong Sun Heji, Gonglian Chufu, and Zi Fu He held a secret meeting.

"What has the Meng clan done?"

"They’ve reportedly shown goodwill to Fei Town."

"Fei Town and Meng Town must not unite. Tomorrow, let the Grand Steward enter the palace and request Meng Di be appointed as minister over both towns," Zhong Sun Heji finally decided.

Qufu, Kong family.

"Master, why send me to Meng Town?"

"Zilu, I see that the Meng clan and Yang Hu are not necessarily of one mind. You should assist him and observe him closely."

"Master, you should stay home and compile poetry. Why seek trouble?"

"Ah, as a Lu man, how can I truly remain outside the affairs of Lu?"

For a moment, all the eyes of Lu were fixed on the little Meng Town.