Chapter 028: The Prestigious Families of Jingxiang
It was Monday, the day to climb the rankings.
Asking for recommendations, for clicks, for favorites...
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The blade measured seven feet in length.
It was a classic ring-pommel saber, weighing about thirty-six catties. Here, a foot referred to the Han dynasty measurement—about 160 centimeters in length, with a two-foot tang. At the end of the tang, within the ring pommel, there was an engraving of a dragon and sparrow motif.
There was also an inscription on the blade: “Forged in the second year of Yanxi, seventh month, Ji Hai day—Twenty swords forged, auspicious, Grand Commandant Huang Qiong.”
“Who is Huang Qiong?”
Cao Peng looked at Wang Meng in confusion, then glanced over at Cao Ji.
“Oh, Huang Qiong is Huang Shiying, a member of the Huang clan from Jiangxia. During Emperor Shun’s reign, he served as Grand Minister of Works and later as Grand Minister of Ceremonies. In the first year of Yanxi, he was dismissed from office due to a solar eclipse but reinstated that same year as Minister of Agriculture. In the second year of Yanxi, he was promoted to Grand Commandant and posthumously honored as General of Chariots and Cavalry.
This blade was specially forged that second year by the Huang clan of Jiangxia to celebrate his reinstatement as Grand Commandant. Only twenty were made. Aside from three kept by the Huang family, this may be the only one left... Twelve years have passed in a flash.”
“Uncle Wang, you recognize this blade?”
Wang Meng nodded. “Back then, the Grand General used this sword in battle throughout Nanyang Commandery. When the Grand General died, the sword vanished along with him.”
The Grand General Wang Meng mentioned was Zhang Mancheng, Grand General of Nanyang during the Taiping Dao uprising.
“If he hadn’t told me, how would I know so much about it?” Wang Meng said.
Cao Peng suddenly understood. “Then how did it end up here?”
Cao Ji chuckled. “We have your brother-in-law to thank. If he hadn’t brought damaged weapons from the armory for me to repair, we would never have discovered it. After Zhang’s death, the sword was likely confiscated by the authorities. Nobody knew its origin, so it was tossed into the armory and forgotten. A few days ago, while I was sorting through weapons with your Uncle Wang, we stumbled upon it... It’s been well preserved.”
Such things seemed commonplace.
After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, battles would just end, and before spoils could be tallied, the enemy would attack again. Every village and city in Nanyang Commandery was contested repeatedly by rebels and government troops. In the end, weapons that couldn’t be accounted for were thrown into the armory, never to be checked. After the Yellow Turbans were suppressed, the chaos of Dong Zhuo ensued; then the wars among the warlords grew ever fiercer. The armories became cluttered with obsolete gear. Repairing them was costly; it was cheaper to buy new ones... Later, when the wars in Jingzhou subsided, the armory’s contents were neglected, left uninspected.
If Kuai Zheng hadn’t suddenly decided to clear out the armory, this Dragon Sparrow Saber might never have been found.
In a few more years, these rusted, useless weapons would surely be disposed of—either melted down or discarded...
“This Dragon Sparrow’s foundation is excellent; it was a fine blade from the start. Your father’s repairs have made it even sharper than before... We’ve decided, your father and I, that you should have it.”
“You want me to use it?”
Cao Peng looked at the saber, which when stood upright reached above his brow, and could only force a wry smile.
“Uncle Wang, look at me—can I even wield this? Standing up, it’s nearly as tall as I am. How could I use it? And besides, with its weight, even if I could swing it, after a couple of moves I’d be exhausted, waiting helplessly to be killed. Better let Brother Tigerhead use it—he’s strong and growing fast. By next year, he might be ready to take it into battle.”
He looked at the saber, then at Cao Peng’s stature. Wang Meng could only nod in agreement. In truth, he wished his own son Wang Mai could have such a weapon, but since Cao Ji had restored it, Wang Meng was too embarrassed to ask for it. Now that Cao Peng offered it up willingly, he accepted without hesitation.
“In that case, let me thank you on Tigerhead’s behalf!”
“Uncle, you’re too polite. We’re not family by blood, but we’re closer than kin. Brother Tigerhead is like an elder brother to me—what does it matter who uses it?”
“Well said, well said!” Cao Ji laughed. “Don’t be upset, Peng’er. When you’ve grown taller, I’ll forge you a fine blade myself.”
Cao Peng grinned. “Then I’ll trouble you, Father!”
He truly wasn’t anxious. With his current physique, wielding such a blade would only get him killed. Besides, Cao Peng had his own plans and was in no hurry to reveal them. Some techniques, even if he told Cao Ji now, wouldn’t show immediate results; after all, Cao Ji had mostly made farming implements these years—his skill with weaponry still needed refinement.
Still, the fact that Cao Ji could restore the Dragon Sparrow and even improve it showed he’d reached a certain level.
At lunch, Cao Peng asked offhandedly, “Uncle Wang, how do you rate my father’s skill?”
Wang Meng took a bite of his flatbread. “Your father is skilled, but in a place like this, he’ll find it hard to improve.”
“Oh?”
“Think about it—how many chances does he get to practice in a small county like this? If not for Shusun, your father wouldn’t have had this opportunity. But there won’t always be weapons to repair; if he wants to advance, he needs to forge swords and sabers from scratch. But such work, even with Shusun’s help, probably won’t come his way.”
“Why not?”
“Large-scale weapon production has its own workshops. As for custom work, your father isn’t famous—who would commission him to forge a weapon? Who in a small place like Jiyang would pay a high price for a no-name smith? I’m telling you, your father’s skills aren’t bad, but to improve, he needs opportunity.”
Cao Peng fell silent.
Wang Meng’s words rang true—Jiyang was just too small...
“Uncle, do you think my father’s skills could earn him a livelihood in Xudu?”
Wang Meng looked up sharply at that.
“Ah Fu, do you mean...”
Cao Peng smiled. “I meant nothing by it, just making conversation. But as you said, if Father wants to improve, he has to forge weapons. I just wonder if his skills would suffice in a big city... With His Majesty now settling the capital in Xu, perhaps it’s an opportunity?”
Wang Meng fell silent.
To the big city, then?
“Ah Fu, we could go to Xiangyang as well,” he suggested tentatively, but Cao Peng didn’t respond.
“By the way, brother-in-law seems busy these days,” Cao Peng suddenly said, walking over to Cao Nan and asking.
Cao Nan was taken aback. “He’s quite busy... When he comes home, he just sleeps, barely says a word.”
“Sister, I heard Governor Liu is sending troops to Jiyang?”
“Sending troops?” Cao Ji frowned. “Why would he do that—are we going to war? Didn’t Governor Liu just form an alliance with Young General Zhang, so why send troops?”
“How should I know... Deng Fan said it. The Jiangxia military clerk is now stationed in Jiunü City. I think brother-in-law’s busy because of this. If there’s really fighting, Jiyang may not be safe.”
“Old Cao, let’s go to Xudu,” Wang Meng said gravely. “Ah Fu’s right—if war breaks out, Jiyang won’t be safe. If Governor Liu could give up Wancheng, I doubt he’d let go of Jiyang so easily... The Emperor is settling in Xuchang; if we go now, it might be a good opportunity.”
Cao Peng looked at Wang Meng, who smiled back at him.
Cao Ji, however, frowned deeply. “We’ve just settled down, and now you want to leave? Besides, why go to Xudu—Xiangyang’s not bad either.”
“Xiangyang may not welcome us,” Wang Meng replied meaningfully, but Cao Ji still hesitated.
“Shusun has just gained the county magistrate’s favor. If we leave now, I doubt he’ll agree,” Zhang added, somewhat reluctant.
“Why not wait for Shusun to return and sound him out?” Cao Ji said softly. “If he has no objection, moving isn’t a problem.”
“Hah, I was just thinking out loud... Damn it, where’s Tigerhead at a time like this?” Wang Meng muttered as he got up and left.
He was a bit blunt, but not without sense. Now was clearly not the time to discuss moving. Maybe Cao Peng wanted to leave, but neither Cao Ji, Zhang, Cao Nan, nor Deng Ji were keen.
Wang Meng didn’t know Cao Peng’s reasons, but he was willing to help.
Plant the seed; when the time was ripe, things would happen naturally.
Cao Peng was deeply grateful to Wang Meng.
He did want to leave Jiyang... Since his rebirth, he’d been too cautious. What could he accomplish, tucked away in this little village?
He had to venture out—only then would broader horizons open before him.
A true man must make his mark, or else live in vain!
After lunch, Cao Peng returned to his room to study...
That afternoon, Wang Mai came home.
He’d had lunch and a few drinks with Deng Fan.
“Ah Fu, tell me honestly—do you like the Zhang family’s young lady?”
Wang Mai barged into Cao Peng’s room, flopped onto the couch, and slurred, “If you really like her, let’s just go and take her away... Do you know why she didn’t come today? Because Huang She stayed at her house last night.”
“Tigerhead, you’re drunk!”
“I’m not—I could drink another jar,” Wang Mai insisted, tumbling over on the couch. “Ah Fu, we’re good brothers. Even though you’ve changed so much since your illness—know more than me, taught me martial arts—I still see you as the same Ah Fu. If you really like the Zhang girl, let’s go to Nieyang and take her back. Who cares about Huang She? I’m not scared... I just don’t want you to be unhappy over this.”
His voice trailed off into snores.
Cao Peng shook his head with a smile, stepped forward, and covered Wang Mai with a quilt.
“Tigerhead, you are my best brother.”
Cao Peng stood up and walked out of the room.
Beneath the old peach tree in the courtyard, a faint flush of green had appeared—heralding the coming of spring.
Cao Peng stood under the tree, gazing up at the sky.
Clouds drifted by, ever-changing... Suddenly, their shapes shifted into the gentle smile of Zhang Wanzhen. Cao Peng stood transfixed beneath the tree, lost for words. Though he’d known Zhang Wanzhen for only a short while, she was already etched in his heart.
Could it really be fate without destiny?
Cao Peng unconsciously clenched his fists: the next time he saw her, he would confess his feelings!
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Nieyang, before the Zhang family residence.
A troop of cavalry in gleaming armor lined the entrance.
From within emerged a young general, about seventeen or eighteen, supporting an elderly man as they walked to a carriage.
“Brother Zhongjing, stay a moment,” the old man said cheerfully, bowing to the scholarly man in a blue robe at the door. “I’ve imposed greatly these past days and caused you much trouble. When you have time, please visit Baishui—I’ll be waiting eagerly.”
Had Cao Peng been present, he might have recognized the old man as the one who practiced boxing on the river’s far bank.
The man on the steps smiled and returned the bow. “Brother Chengyan, I’ve been busy compiling medical texts and haven’t been the best host. If you’re not offended, I’m already quite glad... Rest assured, when the peach and apricot trees bloom, I’ll pay you a visit and trouble you then.”
This was none other than the future Sage of Medicine, Zhang Zhongjing.
“Yueying, stop dawdling—it’s time to go!”
The old man called back into the house, and a young maiden stepped out.
“Father, why do we have to leave so soon?”
Before the old man could reply, the young general spoke up, “Yueying, you’ve been away a month—Aunt misses you dearly. I came here on official business, and she made me promise to bring you home. If you don’t come, how could I ever visit again?”
The girl snorted, “Then don’t visit.”
“Yueying, is that how you speak to your brother? Apologize at once.”
But the young general waved it off. “Uncle, no need for apologies. As long as Yueying comes home, I can answer to Aunt.”
The girl glared at him, then turned to Zhang Zhongjing and bowed.
“Uncle, don’t forget what I asked you... If you do, you won’t get any wine when you visit my house.”
Zhang Zhongjing laughed heartily. “I won’t forget—tomorrow I’ll cross the river and see to it.”
The girl smiled radiantly and nodded.
“Don’t forget...”
“I won’t, I promise.”
“Uncle, I’ll take my leave then,” she said, climbing into the carriage.
“Huang She, remember what you promised me.”
“I remember, of course I do,” the young general replied, nodding vigorously.
Only then did the girl duck into the carriage...
On the other side, the old man also climbed in, bidding Zhang Zhongjing farewell again.
The young general summoned a retainer. “Be careful on the road and don’t delay. Get Uncle home as soon as possible.”
“Yes, sir!”
The retainer mounted up, called out to the driver, and the carriage moved off.
The cavalry split into two lines, leading and following, guarding the carriage as it departed.
The young general exhaled deeply, then strode up to Zhang Zhongjing.
“Uncle, when I arrived, my lord instructed me to ask you to go to Xiangyang as soon as possible. My lady has been unwell, and the physicians at home can’t find the cause...”
Zhang Zhongjing nodded. “If so, I’ll set off as soon as I can.”
The young general bowed again. “I’ve already had the county prepare a carriage. If you leave now, you may still make it for the Qingming ancestral rites.”
“In that case... I’ll gather my things and leave at once.”
“I’ll have the carriage sent to you,” the young general replied.
As he watched Zhang Zhongjing return, a shadow fell across the young general’s face. “Go to Jiyang. Pass my orders: conscript Deng Ji to serve with the army.”
He tightened his reins and rode off toward the county.
Little sister, don’t blame me for meddling... How could you fall for a commoner?
Uncle is too indulgent, letting you do as you please. If word gets out, where will the Jiangxia Huang clan’s honor be?
With that thought, the young general clenched his teeth in secret resolve!