Translator: Ink Hub
Editor: Yoog

In the front hall of the General’s Manor, Luo Yu had an audience with the extraordinary second young master of the Jun family. Furthermore, Jun Mozhu had summoned him alone.

He was not yet twenty, similar in age to Luo Yu, with a tall, straight posture and a face like refined jade. Between his brows resided a composure that did not match his years.

He wore an ink-black robe of exquisite craftsmanship and superior material. The surface was embroidered with slender bamboo patterns in emerald-green silk, sparse yet elegant, refined and luxurious, perfectly matching his name.

Sitting there, he exuded an air of nobility. This was a true young master of a great clan. Compared to him, Xiao Shaoyou’s family background was likely but a single hair from nine oxen.

Xiao Shaoyou and Han Shuo had given him a brief introduction of this man. He was the second-ranked young master of the Jun family, having read extensively since childhood, exceptionally brilliant, and possessing startling talent. In recent years, he had devised strategies for the Jun family’s expansion, eliminating many rivals in succession. Despite his youth, he was a figure whose every step made all of Longxi tremble.

Luo Yu was filled with doubt. Why would such a prominent figure summon him alone? Moreover, Yunyang Pass belonged to Que Prefecture. Why had the people from the Jun family of Ding Prefecture arrived before the Li family of Que Prefecture?

It was very strange.

Jun Mozhu leafed through military reports casually, speaking nonchalantly.

“You must be thinking that since you aren’t a member of the Jun family and aren’t the highest-ranking official in the city, why would I see you alone? Also, why did I arrive faster than the Li family? Right?”

Luo Yu was startled, feeling a sense of unease. Does this guy have mind-reading abilities?

“Don’t overthink it. I have no ill will toward you.”

Jun Mozhu explained with a smile, “A while ago, I received a military report from Jun Yi. In the letter, he mentioned your name several times. You killed a hundred enemies at Jiming Fortress, another hundred at Black Ditch Fortress, and your two arrows atop the city wall greatly boosted morale. Your performance in exposing the traitor Li Chengxiao was also very impressive.

“After reading the report, I became very interested in you, so I specifically traveled from Ding Prefecture to see you.

“However, I didn’t expect Kong Xian to commit treason, for Yunyang Pass to nearly fall, or for General Jun to unfortunately die in battle. Truly hateful. Once again, it was you who took up the burden in a moment of crisis, leading a surprise attack on the Qiang camp, slaying Wanyan Chang, and holding Yunyang Pass.

“You turned the tide.

“Truly, I am curious how a new recruit can perform like a veteran general who has spent years on the battlefield.”

Luo Yu finally understood. It wasn’t that the Jun family had arrived quickly; the man had been on his way before the battle for Yunyang Pass even began. He hadn’t come to reinforce the front line but to find Luo Yu.

Facing Jun Mozhu’s praise, Luo Yu could only say politely, “Young Master thinks too highly of me. This subordinate does not deserve such praise. May I ask why you have summoned me alone? Do you have instructions?”

“Heh.”

The corner of Jun Mozhu’s mouth curled up. “You are a clever man. You should know why I wanted to see you privately.”

“Do you wish for me to join the Jun family, Young Master?”

“Speaking with clever people is easy. I like it. The world is in chaos, and conflict is everywhere. Martial power is the foundation of survival.

“However, my Jun family is a scholarly lineage. Most within the clan are scholars, and there are few generals with the talent to lead troops. I very much hope a rising star like you can join us. Will you consider it?”

Luo Yu no longer stooped; instead, he straightened his chest and met Jun Mozhu’s gaze. “Is the young master commanding me or discussing this with me?”

“Consider it a choice I am giving you.”

“Which means there are other options? I would like to hear them.”

“Certainly.”

Jun Mozhu explained unhurriedly, “The first path: since you were Kong Xian’s subordinate, you are technically part of the Imperial Court’s forces. You have performed great deeds in the battle of Yunyang Pass, so you can wait here for the court’s rewards. As for how high a rank they will grant you or how much silver they will bestow, I do not know.

“The second path is to join my Jun family as part of my personal guards.

“I will give you a thousand cavalrymen. You should know that the entirety of Yunyang Pass cannot even scrape together a thousand elite riders. I will provide as many horses, rations, pay, and armaments as those thousand men require—a full supply.

“As for what level you can reach in the future, that depends on how much merit you can earn for my Jun family.”

Luo Yu’s eyes flickered. These were very generous conditions.

He didn’t know how long it would take to gather a thousand cavalry on his own, let alone secure a stable supply of pay and resources while having the great Jun family as his backing.

The room fell into a slight silence. Deep down, Luo Yu had no favorable impression of these great clans, and the Imperial Court was equally unreliable. In his view, neither side was worth risking his life for.

After a long silence, Luo Yu asked, “Is there a third path to choose?”

“Of course.”

Jun Mozhu smiled slightly. “You turned the tide at Yunyang Pass and prevented the Jun family’s forces from being wiped out. The Jun family owes you a favor. I can give you a small city as a token of gratitude.

“Be a city lord, recruiting your own soldiers and expanding your strength. As for the Imperial Court, you need not worry; I will handle it for you. I have some influence in Longxi. Settling such a small matter is well within my power.”

“Be my own city lord?”

Luo Yu looked puzzled. “Then what is the relationship with the Jun family? Am I a subordinate?”

“No.” Jun Mozhu shook his head. “You will have no connection to the Jun family, nor to any other family. In your city, you are the master. As for whether you listen to the Imperial Court’s orders, heh, that is your own business.”

Jun Mozhu chuckled lightly, showing no respect when mentioning the Imperial Court.

“I see.”

Luo Yu fell into deep thought. In other words, because he saved the Jun family’s people, Jun Mozhu gave him a city so they would be even. After that, he would be on his own.

“I have one more question. What rank is this so-called city lord?”

Luo Yu was still thinking about the Five-Year Pact. To return to the Wu family, he had to become a fifth-rank official. A city lord governed a city; surely that was a significant position?

“What rank?”

Jun Mozhu shook his head. “There is no official rank. If we are talking about status, it is inferior even to a low-level commandant in the army. But if your city grows and develops one day and catches the attention of the Imperial Court, they may issue a decree granting you a title. Only then would you have a formal official status.”

“So, that’s how it is.”

Jun Mozhu leaned back casually against his chair. “You can go back and think it over slowly. I will await your answer.”

“No need. I can give you the answer now.”

Luo Yu’s gaze was firm. “I choose the third path. I will be a city lord.”

Luo Yu’s heart tightened. Would rejecting the Jun family’s recruitment so bluntly cause trouble?

To his surprise, Jun Mozhu was straightforward and showed no unusual reaction. He quickly had a servant spread a map on the table, pointing with his fair hand.

“About two hundred li northeast of Yunyang Pass, there is a mountain range the locals call the Sanqi Mountains. It is located at the border of Que Prefecture and Ding Prefecture. In other words, this place belongs to neither. At the foot of the mountains lies Qicheng. Nominally, it is managed by my Jun family, but in reality, it has always been a masterless city. From now on, Qicheng belongs to you.”

Jun Mozhu gave a brief introduction of the situation, and Luo Yu listened intently. When he heard that it didn’t fall under the jurisdiction of either prefecture, he felt a sense of relief. Without the Jun or Li families pressing down on him from above, it would be much more convenient to get things done.

“That is essentially the situation.”

Jun Mozhu smiled. “I’ve sent scouts to check. The Qiang have retreated, and there won’t be any battles at the border for a short while. You can head to Qicheng at any time.”

“Is it that simple? Does Young Master Jun have nothing else to say?”

Luo Yu finally couldn’t help but ask. Because he had refused the Jun family’s recruitment, wasn’t this Jun Mozhu angry? Back then, Li Chengxiao had given him no end of trouble.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

Jun Mozhu was very calm. “Everyone chooses their own path. Why force it?”

“Thank you.”

Luo Yu said no more. Regardless of whether Jun Mozhu was being sincere, the matter was settled for now.

“Wait, don’t leave yet.”

Jun Mozhu laughed. “Now that you are the new city lord of Qicheng, give the place a new name. A new person brings a new atmosphere.”

“A new name?”

Luo Yu thought for a moment. “Then let it be called Cangqi.”

“Cangqi?”

Jun Mozhu’s gaze turned strange. “The ‘cang’ for weathered vicissitudes? You’re so young; that name is a bit old-fashioned.”

“The ‘cang’ for the common people.”

NOTES
“A single hair from nine oxen” (九牛一毛 – jiǔ niú yì máo): A Chinese idiom meaning something so small and insignificant that its loss or gain makes absolutely no difference. Similar to the English expression “a drop in the bucket.”

💝 Support the Team

possible odoabuchi

✍️ Translator

☕ Buy Me a Coffee