Chapter 91 Forging the Sword in the Molten Cauldron, Lady Liu Bows Her Head (Begging for votes!)
What is a ding (鼎)?
Yilan Pavilion, inside the main room.
When the gossip reached his own Longcheng County, Ouyang Rong's right eyelid started twitching uncontrollably.
Wasn't it supposed to be low-level martial arts? You Qi cultivators can fly over rooftops and walk on walls, occasionally hold a sword-chasing tournament to exchange warm greetings, and then there are some traditional life-and-death battles. Then, the strange sight of a white ape carrying a sword suddenly appears. That's understandable...
How could something so extraordinary that it could trigger celestial phenomena suddenly be introduced?
So all that he's been busy in Longcheng for so long, fighting with the Liu family, was just cleaning up the mess left by some kind of "lofty and remarkable" mythical power?
Ouyang Rong looked wary, and to be honest, he couldn't quite accept it.
The merit tower in his mind even had a concept of cause and effect, and the reward for good deeds.
However, after listening carefully to his junior sister's explanation, he sighed, still somewhat skeptical:
"Can it really cause flooding? That... doesn't sound very reasonable."
Xie Lingjiang's expression was somewhat serious:
“Senior Brother, I don’t really believe it either. But I once heard a senior Confucian scholar say that the nine mythical Dao lineages seem to have originated from the cauldron, and the earliest pre-Qin Qi refining techniques were passed down from the cauldron. This is a true mythical object, mysterious and profound.”
Ouyang Rong frowned: "How could such a heavyweight item be occupied by the Yunmeng Jianze family?"
"There is more than one ding (a type of ancient Chinese cooking vessel)."
Xie Lingjiang shook her head and said softly:
"Moreover, Yunmeng Sword Marsh possesses the advancement sequence of the Yue Nu Dao lineage, and its foundation is far deeper than Senior Brother thought. Looking at the world, both inside and outside, there are really not many of the original nine mythical Dao lineages that can still be passed down completely and in an orderly manner."
"Yunmeng Sword Marsh is one of them. In fact, the name Yue Nu has become associated with swordsmanship and qi cultivation techniques. Every swordsman in this world has a Yue Nu sword hanging three feet above their heads..."
"No matter what, it is a reclusive sect that can be ranked among the top sects of the world. It has the strength to guard a cauldron. This is the reason why Xue Zhongzhu dares to be so arrogant in refuting the opinions of the outside world... It's just that the new leader, the Yunmeng Queen, is too domineering. It's not good."
Ouyang Rong wasn't particularly interested in the group of reclusive female cultivators from Wu and Yue in Yunmengze, and pressed for an answer:
How many tripods are there?
"Rumor has it that there were nine, but there should be very few left; many were used to forge swords."
"Using a tripod to forge a sword?"
"That's right, the cauldron is the sword, and the sword is the cauldron."
The young lady paused, mimicking her father's tone when explaining certain secrets to her, a mysterious expression on her face, and gently parted her lips:
"Senior Brother, who says a cauldron has to be a cauldron, and a sword has to be a sword?"
"...That makes some sense."
Ouyang Rong nodded, pretending to understand, and guessed, "This wouldn't be referring to the Dingjian, would it?"
Xie Lingjiang nodded in satisfaction, glanced at her senior brother, and thought, "Hmm, they still have a lot of tacit understanding, like close friends."
Ouyang Rong asked in confusion:
"But why would you want to melt down a furnace and forge a sword?"
Xie Lingjiang's expression turned serious, and she sighed:
"In the pre-Qin period, the ding (a type of ancient Chinese cooking vessel) was originally a peaceful object used to suppress the fortunes of mountains and rivers. The ancient sages collected all the weapons in the world to cast ding, which was an act of peace. And the later use of melting ding to cast swords was naturally..."
"For the purpose of killing. And the people killed were not ordinary people."
She shook her head and said softly:
"Besides, senior brother, think about it, where does the talk of 'competing for the cauldron' come from? When it comes to competing for the cauldron, it eventually becomes a competition for the cauldron and the sword, and the methods become increasingly fierce."
"Among the reclusive Qi cultivators, the first known Ding Sword was created at the end of the Qin Dynasty, and the last rumor of a new Ding Sword being created was at the end of the Sui Dynasty."
"Throughout history, almost every powerful dynasty had an emperor who forged a sword. Some were founding emperors who consolidated their mandate of heaven, some were restorers who continued the dynasty's reign, and some were emperors who experienced a final burst of glory before the dynasty fell, ultimately leading to another period of chaos and strife... However, in our dynasty, the founding emperor had decreed that no swords should be forged."
Ouyang Rong put on a stern face: "What dynasty? This is the Great Zhou Dynasty. Junior sister, don't talk nonsense. We are all subjects of the current emperor."
Xie Lingjiang glanced at her senior brother, nodded, and said:
“That’s right. But Senior Brother is loyal to the emperor and serves the country, and he also has the talent to manage the world. He must be highly valued by His Majesty.”
"..."
Ouyang Rong pretended not to hear.
He naturally understood some of the positions held by his teacher, Xie Xun, and his junior sister, despite her young age, was quite a bold fellow.
He then asked:
"So there's still a cauldron hidden in Yunmeng Sword Marsh that wasn't forged into a cauldron sword?"
"It should be."
"What does a ding (a type of ancient Chinese cooking vessel) look like? Does it have three or four legs?"
"I don't know, but I'd like to see it too. It's said that the cauldron is filled with energy."
"Even if I hadn't been injured this time, I still wouldn't have been able to see it at the Peach Valley Sword Challenge. The Cloud Dream Sword Swamp refused to allow outsiders to see the cauldron, and the cauldron they possess has not appeared in the world for many years."
Ouyang Rong chuckled: "Could it have already been secretly forged into a sword, and you're too guilty to show it off?"
Xie Lingjiang nodded, then shook her head:
"Once the Ding Sword is forged, not only will there be celestial phenomena, but other existing Ding Swords will also sense it. It is unlikely that it can be hidden."
"Moreover, there are no swordsmiths left in the world today. During the chaos of the previous dynasty, Emperor Sui failed to forge swords twice and slaughtered all the swordsmiths by Butterfly Creek. The craftsmanship lineage, which is as ancient as the Yue Nu lineage, has been wiped out."
The junior sister spoke with a regretful tone to Ouyang Rong:
"The current state of the sword forge at Liu Family Sword Shop by Butterfly Creek is nothing compared to the scene at the end of the Sui Dynasty when the whole country was mobilized to forge swords by Butterfly Creek. It's just a small-scale operation."
Ouyang Rong seemed to be deep in thought. The glorious past of Longcheng County, which possessed Butterfly Creek, was not only mentioned to him by his junior sister, but also by two locals, Yan Liulang and Liu Ashan.
I just never took it too seriously and thought it was an exaggeration. After all, everyone's ancestors were once wealthy, and you have to bring it up in front of outsiders... Everyone likes to reminisce about their ancestors' glory, and they always feel ashamed if they feel they are not as successful as their ancestors. This is true not only for individuals, but also for regions and countries.
Yes, not only with the same generation of the scroll, but also with the scrolls of eight generations of ancestors.
It would be strange if I wasn't tired.
Inside the room, Ouyang Rong listened to Xie Lingjiang's revelation and fell into deep thought. The two remained silent for a moment.
Ouyang Rongcai was not pedantic.
For example, he would never make any undisguised comparisons between himself and former Longcheng County magistrates such as Di Fuzi and Tao Yuanming.
At present, the current magistrate of Longcheng County only seeks to do his job well in disaster relief and flood control.
In addition, do everything possible to control the Liu family.
Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the courtyard. Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang got up and saw that a gatekeeper from the Su family had brought Liu Ashan with him, seemingly to report something urgent. They were stopped by the maids of Yilan Pavilion.
Ouyang Rong picked up the food box and went out, asking Liu Ashan, "What's the matter that's so urgent?"
Liu Ashan said solemnly, "Master, someone from the Liu family has come to request an audience with you."
"They've finally arrived. Should we look for them at the Deer Park or at the county government office?"
"Yes, we have them all. We even gave some to those who came to Selaginel Park..."
Ouyang Rong interrupted directly, carrying a food box and walking forward first: "Same as always, we'll refuse all those from Meiluyuan. As for the county government, let's go there now."
"yes."
...
The person who came from the county government was Liu Zi'an.
In the main hall of the yamen, Ouyang Rong looked at the sickly-looking second young master of the Liu family with a slightly curious expression.
He hadn't met Liu Zi'an much, but he had heard of him. Liu Zi'an's status in the Liu family was second only to Liu Ziwen. This second brother was clearly more valued by Liu Ziwen than that unreliable third brother.
Clearly, by sending such a person to request an audience, the Liu family has shown considerable sincerity.
However, since this is someone's home turf today, they won't buy into that.
Before even serving a cup of tea, he said directly:
"Young Master Liu, I am deeply honored by your presence."
"Lord Ouyang, what are you saying? It is an honor for this humble subject and the Liu family to meet you today. Please just call me humble subject, there is no need for such formality."
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "You Liu family members are not commoners. When I first arrived, some people even suggested that I pay my respects to your 'commoner Liu family'."
Liu Zian's expression changed, and he immediately straightened up, cupping his hands in a salute:
"Within the territory of Dragon City, all are Your Excellency's subjects, Your Excellency is our parent official. Your Excellency must not take to heart the flattering words of those who are blind to reason with you."
Ouyang Rong smiled and nodded. Just as Liu Zi'an thought he had accepted the offer, the young magistrate suddenly said, "But what if I take it to heart? How about we kowtow a few times to apologize to you?"
"..." Liu Zian.
He shook his head with a smile: "My lord knows what this humble subject wouldn't dare to do, hahaha, my lord is truly witty..."
Ouyang Rong didn't laugh, which made Liu Zi'an even more embarrassed. The young magistrate, too lazy to waste words, said:
"Then speak, what does Master Liu have to tell me when he sent you here?"
Liu Zian took a deep breath to hold back his anger, and smiled sincerely, saying:
"I dare not give orders, elder brother, I humbly beg you to forgive me, sir."
"The Liu family is deeply sorry for our third brother's repeated offenses against the lord and his advisor. It was our fault for not managing that wretched creature properly, and he inadvertently offended the lord."
"My elder brother was deeply saddened and furious about this matter. After that beast returned home, my elder brother personally carried out a family discipline session..."
"You're quick to ransom people with money, but why didn't you ransom the one exiled to Liaodong?" Ouyang interrupted, asking sincerely, "After the family discipline was carried out, did your brother die?"
Liu Zian remained silent for a moment.
Upon seeing this, Ouyang Rong sighed deeply, "Truly, a scourge can live on for a thousand years."
Liu Zian smiled sheepishly, but unexpectedly, the young magistrate added apologetically:
"Young Master Liu, don't overthink it. I'm not talking about him alone."
The sickly-looking young man in brocade robes gripped the chair armrests tightly, then released them. If it weren't for the deep fingerprints still damp on the red lacquered wooden armrests, it would seem as if nothing had happened.
Seeing the frozen smile on the face of the second young master of the Liu family, Ouyang Rong comforted him:
"Hey, that's not what I meant."
That's what he meant.
Liu Zian forced a smile, glanced around the hall, turned back, and said sincerely:
"No, no, no, what you say is absolutely right. In this life, we should still do some good deeds. Giving birth to that wicked beast is indeed the sin of the Liu family. My elder brother has been burning incense and worshipping Buddha recently and has deeply felt this. He feels that the Liu family must take the initiative to stand up and do more good deeds for Longcheng."
"Wait, wait, wait."
Ouyang Rong raised his hand to interrupt, and said to him with a serious expression:
“The suburbs are very large, and you can set up soup kitchens wherever you want without having to report to the government.”
"So, if there's nothing else, you don't have to come."
"..."
Liu Zian licked his dry lips, looked at the smiling young magistrate in front of him who was even younger than himself, and uttered three words:
"Di Gong Gate".
Ouyang Rong, who was about to see his guest off, turned around and raised his eyebrows.
He nodded and sighed:
"So this is the good deed you did. Why didn't you say so sooner... Liu Lang, go pour a cup of tea. How can you treat your guests like this?"
"..." Yan Liulang.
Ouyang Rong frowned slightly, gave an order, then turned back and sighed:
"Young Master Liu, next time please get straight to the point. I'm a straightforward person and can't stand too much beating around the bush. I always feel like people are wasting time talking in circles. Hey, by the way, I don't think I said anything offensive to you just now, did I?"
"..." Liu Zian took the tea and forced a smile, "No, no, I feel right at home here with the magistrate."
"That's good."
Ouyang Rong nodded, rolled up his sleeves, and extended his right hand in a gesture.
Liu Zian glanced at his composed expression and continued:
"The Liu family is willing to assist the county government in constructing the Di Gong Gate..."
He then changed the subject:
"By the way, I've also come to deliver an invitation. My elder brother greatly admires Your Excellency and would like to invite you to dinner. I wonder if Your Excellency has time tonight to grace my humble abode with your presence and sample my home-cooked dishes?"
"This is also an apology for the misunderstanding a few days ago, and for my younger brother's ignorant retort." Liu Zian said with a smile, his tone becoming more sincere: "Then, elder brother will have a good talk with the magistrate about the Di Gongzha matter, and I guarantee that the magistrate will be satisfied."
Liu Zian thought that by adopting such a humble attitude and showing such sincerity, he could at least make the young county magistrate hesitate and be tempted.
But to his surprise, the handsome young man in the blue-green official robes in front of him suddenly darkened his face at a visible speed after hearing his words.
Ouyang Rong lowered his head, straightened his sleeves, patted off the dust with his left hand and then his right, and asked casually:
"Inviting me to dinner? If you accidentally knock over a cup during the banquet, are you going to send three hundred axemen to rip your head off?"
Liu Zi'an's facial muscles stiffened, and he hurriedly explained:
"Your Excellency is joking. How could our Liu family be so unruly? Your Excellency is an official appointed by the imperial court. Killing an official is an act of rebellion, which our humble family would never dare to do!"
The young magistrate frowned and offered a suggestion: "Why not just kill them openly? You guys need to use your imagination and come up with more creative ideas."
"...?"
Liu Zian felt a little numb.
The atmosphere became awkward and silent for a moment.
Ouyang Rong chuckled and said with a slight smirk:
"And you say your Liu family follows the rules?"
"Oh."
He chuckled, then, without even glancing at the invitation Liu Ziwen had pulled out to present, stood up, turned and left.
Liu Zian was startled and couldn't help but get up to chase after him:
"My lord... please enlighten me..."
The young magistrate ignored him, casually walked out of the hall with his hands clasped, and the taciturn, thin, tall man silently followed.
The blue-clad constable with a sword stopped the anxious second young master of the Liu family, glanced at him, and prepared to leave.
Liu Zian immediately realized what was happening, and had no choice but to patiently take out a wad of silver and force a smile as he stuffed it into his hand.
"Officer Yan, may I ask what the magistrate's intention is?"
Yan Liulang didn't take it, but he stopped, seemingly taking pity on Liu Zian, and glanced at him, saying:
"Do you think the rules of Longcheng are set by your Liu family or by the Ming family? Go back and think about this carefully first."
Liu Zian braced himself and immediately said, "It is the magistrate's decision."
"That's settled then. You dare to invite Magistrate Ming to your door for a meal? Do you think Magistrate Ming is here to beg for food on his knees? Go back and think it through, who begs for food on their knees these days?"
Yan Liulang curled his lip:
"Don't stuff the silver in. Go to the accounting office later and donate 1,000 strings of cash to Zheyiqu."
"Don't say I didn't give you some pointers. Tonight, grain merchants and gentry are hosting a banquet at Yuanming Tower for you, sir. Have Liu Ziwen come by himself, but don't you dare try to freeload during the meal. It's too much trouble to bring an extra pair of chopsticks. Wait until you've finished eating and the banquet is over before showing up."
After pointing out the way, the blue-clad constable left without looking back, leaving behind the second young master of the Liu family, who stood there dumbfounded, his face gradually turning red.
After a trip to the county government office, Liu Zian finally recovered from his low blood pressure.
...
This chapter is 4,000 words long. There will be another chapter after midnight tonight, but it might not be on time and will be a little late. I'll post it as soon as I finish writing it... Finally, shamelessly asking for some votes! (bows)
(End of this chapter)
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