Chapter 129: I Was Once a Merchant

With a single shout, the hundred-plus guards resting in the backyard were summoned out, surrounding Liu Yitiao and Feng Xiaoyi.

They rubbed their hands and clamored for a good spot, eyes wide as they watched the two men preparing to face off.

"This," Liu Yitiao said, lowering his hands and standing straight as he glanced at the surrounding guards. Seeing the expressions of excitement and schadenfreude on their faces, he was puzzled and asked Feng Xiaoyi, "Commander Feng, what is going on here?"

"Haha, Mr. Liu, don't mind these brats. They are a group who fear nothing more than a peaceful world," Feng Xiaoyi said with a laugh. "These little brats have all been soundly thrashed by me in the past. They want revenge but lack the skill, so they are always hoping to see me get beaten to a pulp as well. They are just a bunch of heartless little rascals; don't pay them any mind."

Liu Yitiao nodded in realization. This was Feng Xiaoyi’s way of managing his subordinates—a mix of discipline and camaraderie, blending in with his men.

Still, being watched by so many people made Liu Yitiao rather uncomfortable. He took a small step back, resumed his stance, and gestured to Feng Xiaoyi. "Commander Feng, let’s begin."

"Mr. Liu!" Wang Dacheng and a few other quick-tongued guards, having already learned of Liu Yitiao's identity, began to cheer him on. "Mr. Liu! We support you! You must beat the Chief until he looks like a pig's head, so he can taste what it's like to be beaten up! Pig-head! Pig-head!"

"Pig-head! Pig-head!" Once they started, the others joined in the jeering, laughing and watching Feng Xiaoyi, who was trapped in the center of the circle.

"Alright, that's enough!" Feng Xiaoyi waved his hand dismissively, scolding them without a hint of embarrassment. "You lot, it’s the same old routine every time. Aren't you tired of it? You don't even know how to come up with something new; you're just embarrassing me! Shut your mouths and stay put, or else get back to your rooms and go to sleep!"

"Boo!" Feng Xiaoyi's fierce words were met with a chorus of hisses. Then, the guards shouted in unison again: "Pig-head! Pig-head! Pig-head!"

Seeing this, the corners of Liu Yitiao’s mouth curled upward. He suddenly felt that this atmosphere wasn't bad at all. To be able to maintain strict military discipline while allowing for such relaxed, informal interaction in their spare time—Feng Xiaoyi certainly had his ways.

Seeing that he couldn't suppress them, Feng Xiaoyi didn't mind. He smiled bitterly at Liu Yitiao and said, "I've really spoiled these brats. Mr. Liu, ignore them; let’s fight our fight, and they’ll naturally shut up once we start. Now, Mr. Liu, be careful—I'm coming at you!"

With that, Feng Xiaoyi stepped forward, delivering a straight punch accompanied by a gust of wind that reached Liu Yitiao in an instant.

At the same time, the guards who had been jeering fell silent, just as Feng Xiaoyi had predicted, watching the two men in the circle with keen interest.

Liu Yitiao smiled lightly at the incoming punch and shifted his feet, moving half a step to the left to narrowly dodge the blow. The wind from the strike grazed his face—it was powerful.

"Commander Feng has a formidable punch!" Liu Yitiao praised. Judging by the force, Feng Xiaoyi’s blow carried at least a hundred kilograms of weight. In the modern era, he would be a heavyweight contender; if that punch landed, it would be no laughing matter. Liu Yitiao became more cautious, using his "butterfly footwork" to weave and counter-punch, his movements appearing fluid and agile.

The two traded blows, and for a time, they were evenly matched.

"Xiao Suo, what is this Mr. Liu's background? His skills seem no weaker than the Chief's!" Wang Dacheng, watching Liu Yitiao’s strange footwork and unconventional tactics—which even seemed to be gaining the upper hand—asked Xiao Suo, "Is he really just a physician?"

"Of course," Xiao Suo said, head held high with pride. "Mr. Liu is the miracle doctor specifically invited by His Highness the Crown Prince to treat the Empress. How could his status be fake? Besides, just earlier, the young Prince Jin from the Lizheng Palace even came looking for Mr. Liu."

"However," Xiao Suo added with a touch of mystery, "I heard that Mr. Liu seems to have some connection with General Gongsun, and is even a sworn brother of Gongsun Helan."

"Oh, that explains it," Wang Dacheng nodded in enlightenment. Gongsun Wuda and the Duke of Yi, Qin Shubao, were both peerless warriors in their youth. How could the descendants they trained be anything but exceptional?

Still, he feared the Chief might lose this one. Wang Dacheng felt a bit uneasy. Although they had been shouting about beating Feng Xiaoyi into a "pig's head," when it came down to it, he didn't really want to see their leader lose to an outsider.

"Brother Wang, you have the best martial arts and the sharpest eye here. Who do you think will win? The Chief won't really get beaten into a pig's head, will he?" the guard Xiao Huang asked anxiously.

"We shall see. They are evenly matched; it’s hard to say who will win," Wang Dacheng replied vaguely as he watched the arena.

Just then, Liu Yitiao struck Feng Xiaoyi in the chest with a side-fist, while Feng Xiaoyi simultaneously landed a knee strike on Liu Yitiao’s abdomen. Both men were sent flying backward.

With that, the bout came to a pause.

***

In Sanyuan County, Xia'er Village.

Yang Bofang had just returned home, but before he could rest, he hurried to the Yuan household in Xia'er Village.

"I didn't know you were visiting, sir. Please forgive me for keeping you waiting," Yuan Fang said, rushing over from the Liu Family Plow Workshop. Seeing Yang Bofang sitting alone in the parlor, he bowed in apology.

"No need for such formalities, Elder Yuan. I only just arrived. It is I who am intruding," Yang Bofang replied, standing to return the bow.

"You are too kind, sir. Please, sit!" Yuan Fang gestured for Yang Bofang to take a seat, then took his own place.

Yuan Fang wondered why such a prominent figure would visit his humble home, as they had little prior contact. "May I ask what brings you here today? Is there a shortage of furniture at your residence?"

"Haha, not at all," Yang Bofang said with a slight shake of his head. "I have come here today at the request of another, to deliver a letter to you."

He took a letter case from his robes and handed it to Yuan Fang. "It is from my nephew, Yitiao. He wrote this to you personally. Please, take a look."

"From Mr. Liu? Thank you for the trouble, sir!" Yuan Fang accepted the case with both hands.

He opened the case and took out the letter. As he read the contents, his expression shifted slightly.

"What does Yitiao say?" Yang Bofang asked, noticing the change.

"You should see for yourself," Yuan Fang said, handing the letter to him. "Since you are Mr. Liu’s uncle and a man of broad experience, I would appreciate your advice. Should I act according to what Mr. Liu has written?"

Yang Bofang scanned the letter and asked with surprise, "So, the Liu Family Plow Workshop actually belongs to my nephew Yitiao?"

"That is correct," Yuan Fang nodded. "The design of the plowshares and the capital used to start the workshop all came from Mr. Liu. Nominally, I am the workshop owner, but in truth, Mr. Liu is the main proprietor. So, it is not wrong to say it belongs to him."

"However, I do not understand why Mr. Liu would suddenly want to reveal his identity and burden himself with the title of a merchant. That could be very detrimental to his future prospects." Yuan Fang looked at Yang Bofang. "You are a man of reason; you understand the implications. Could you perhaps persuade Mr. Liu otherwise? Once the status of a merchant is attached to him, it will be very difficult to shed."

"Allow me to consider this," Yang Bofang said, bowing his head in thought. In truth, after reading the letter, he had already guessed Liu Yitiao's intentions.

Using the status of a merchant to obscure his current brilliance was far more effective and practical than the "hidden scholar" method he had suggested to Liu Yitiao the night before. But was the cost too high?

"Very well, Elder Yuan. Do as Yitiao requests," Yang Bofang said, finally agreeing.

Since Liu Yitiao had no desire for an official career, the label of a merchant would have little impact. As for Liu Ertiao, given Liu Yitiao's personality, he must have already considered that. If necessary, he, Yang, could use his own connections in Chang'an to secure a good path for the younger brother.

"Since you agree, sir, I shall go to Magistrate Li tomorrow and have the owner's name changed," Yuan Fang said. Seeing Yang Bofang's approval, he realized that Liu Yitiao must have encountered some difficult situation, and he decided not to dwell on it further.