Finest Servant

Chapter 399 The Small Cannon

Lu Dongzan smiled and glanced at Du Xiuyuan, without a word, the color of contempt was plain to see.

"Didn't find it?" Lord Lin snorted. "This little beast runs fast. If I catch it, I'll definitely deal with it properly. Ah, Brother Lu, where were we?"

Lord Lin rambled on, but Lu Dongzan had no time to waste on him. Crossing his arms and bowing, he spoke solemnly, "Lord Lin, the vehicles have been searched, and the Persian cat was not taken with us. Can you rest assured now? Bilge Khagan is eagerly awaiting our return with news of friendship with the Great Hua. With the Khagan's orders upon me, I dare not delay. Could you please let us embark quickly?"

"Embark?" Lin Wanrong laughed. "Brother Lu, you are a guest from afar, and I haven't had a good match with you yet. How can you leave so soon? The Turks and my Great Hua are thousands of miles apart. It will take at least ten days to half a month to travel. It wouldn't hurt to wait another half hour, as I have something more to say to you."

Lu Dongzan was momentarily stunned, appearing to glance inadvertently into the distance, his face as calm as ever. "What else would Lord Lin have me do? Please speak your mind."

Lin Wanrong waved his hand, and Du Xiuyuan handed him an object. Lin Wanrong played with it for a moment, smiling, "Brother Lu, do you recognize this?"

"A cannon?!" Lu Dongzan's face showed surprise. In Lin Wanrong's hand was a small wooden model of a cannon, palm-sized, exquisitely crafted.

"This little toy is made by the skilled craftsmen of Great Hua. The children love it, and you can buy it everywhere," Lin Wanrong laughed. "Just like how you Turkic people ride horses all year long, under pressure, your cannons are all this small size."

"My Lord, is this for me?" A smile crept onto Lu Dongzan's face. This Lord Lin seemed quite warm-hearted, even remembering to give him a gift as he leave.

"Oh, this is too big for you to use; I'll leave it to my pet dog Wangcai. Here's what I'm giving you." Lord Lin waved his hand again, and Du Xiuyuan, holding back laughter, pulled out another small object. Lu Dongzan looked at it and was instantly dumbfounded. This time it was another cannon model, but only one-third the size of the previous one, thumb-length, with a thin, frail barrel, obviously a substandard product.

"Hmm, this one is about right." Lord Lin examined the tiny cannon with satisfaction, his face glowing. "Brother Lu, this is specially made by my Great Hua. A concise version of the small cannon designed for foreigners, limited edition, not available in the market, and highly collectible. Just as the saying goes, 'A treasured sword for the hero, a small cannon for the Turk.' Now I present it to you. You must treasure it."

‘A useless trinket that even a child wouldn't want, and you have the gall to gift it to me? What I gave you, the nose-piercing Grass, the sweat-blood treasure horse, which isn't worth a fortune?’ Lu Dongzan was torn between laughter and tears, but seeing Lord Lin's seriousness, he had to pretend to accept it with enthusiasm, "gratefully" saying, "Thank you, Lord Lin, for this generous gift. May we now proceed?"

"Leave? Oh, you can, of course you can. Eh, why don't I see your country's special envoy, Ashile? I have prepared a small cannon for him too." Lord Lin spoke with exuberant enthusiasm.

Lu Dongzan hastily shook his head, "Oh, Ashile had other matters to attend to and left last night. I thanked you on his behalf for your kind intentions."

In the distance, clouds of dust were rising, and the urgent sound of hooves broke the silence. Lin Wanrong chuckled as he put away the small cannon, "Is that so? He must have run faster than my Persian cat. Eh, isn't that Xu Zhen? Du Xiuyuan, go and see what's going on. Don't block the way for Master Lu Dongzan; he's in a hurry to hit the road."

Ahead, the dust was billowing as hundreds of cavalrymen escorted three large carts and dozens of Turkic people towards them. Leading the way, spirited and proud, was Xu Zhen himself. Lu Dongzan's face changed abruptly at the sight of the carts, and he quickly signaled to his guard knights. The Turks raised their sabers high, and in the light of the newly lit fires, they glinted with a cold brilliance.

"Boom!" "Boom!" Two loud blasts rang out, followed by a distant flicker of firelight. The startled horses of the Turkic cavalry reared and neighed, the riders scrambling to tighten the reins and grip the horses' bellies. The horses jumped frantically, almost throwing off their riders. It took a while for them to calm down, their formation in complete disarray.

Du Xiuyuan excitedly said, "General Lin, our Divine Machine Unit soldiers are operating the cannons ahead. These two shots are accurate!"

"Really?" Lin Wanrong said, smiling and shaking his head, "Tell them to fire a few more shots to send off Master Lu Dongzan. They've come such a long way, after all."

Xu Zhen galloped over, dismounted, his face covered in dust and not caring to wipe it away, cheerfully said, "General, when I patrolled ahead twenty miles, I found something unusual with the Turks—"

"I protest! I protest—" Xu Zhen's words were interrupted by a harsh voice in the Great Hua language coming from the front, from one of the three surrounded carts, a person yelling at the top of his lungs.

"What are you screaming about?" Two of Xu Zhen's lieutenants spurred their horses forward and whipped the back of the foreigner's horse. The frightened horse leaped forward but was blocked by the crowd. It let out a long neigh and reared, nearly vertical to the ground. The Turkic man lost his grip and fell heavily to the ground, provoking laughter from the Great Hua soldiers. Lu Dongzan's face turned ashen, and his surrounding Turkic cavalry could hardly contain themselves, raising their sabers to charge but were stopped by Lu Dongzan's glare.

"Lord Lin, what is the meaning of this?" Lu Dongzan shouted, unable to contain his anger any longer.

"Master Lu, what do you mean by this?" Lord Lin widened his eyes, feigning confusion, "I don't seem to have offended you."

Lu Dongzan snorted, a hint of malice in his eyes, "Ashile is my Turkic envoy, sent by Bilge Khagan to pay respects to the Emperor of Great Hua. An old saying in Great Hua goes, 'Do not kill the envoy in times of war between two countries.' Why do you insult Ashile in this manner?"

"Ashile?" Lord Lin's eyes widened even more than Lu Dongzan's. "You say the one being stopped up ahead is Envoy Ashile? Ah, how we have delayed such an honored guest. A few days ago, Shandong was plagued with banditry, and the areas near the capital were affected. The Emperor ordered increased patrols, and all suspicious persons were to be arrested. Little did we know, we mistakenly captured Lord Ashile. But, Brother Lu, I must say you've confused me. You mentioned earlier that Brother Ashile left the capital last night. How has he appeared around here now?"

"This..." Lu Dongzan hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to explain. Xu Zhen beside him saluted, "Reporting to General Lin, I was ordered to patrol within fifty li of the capital. Twenty li ahead, I discovered a group of riders and three big carts, hurrying forward in a suspicious manner. Despite my repeated warnings, they refused to comply. With no other option, I took them into custody and brought them back, seeking the General's judgment."

"Lord Lin, I protest, I protest." Ashile had already gotten up from the ground, his body covered in dust, looking quite disheveled. "I am the Turkic envoy and have been treated so barbarically by your men. I must report this to the Great Khagan and will urge an attack—"

"What did you say?" Lord Lin's slightly squinted eyes suddenly snapped open, exuding a profound brilliance, stern to the extreme. It startled Ashile so much that he didn't dare continue speaking.

"Lord Lin, I must seek justice for today's incident from your Emperor," Lu Dongzan said, maintaining more composure than Ashile as the Turkic National Tutor. "Your blatant deployment of troops to besiege and arrest the Turkic envoy is utterly outrageous. We will report the truth to the Bilge Khagan when we return home."

"Outrageous? Brother Lu, it seems like I should be the one saying that." Lin Wanrong said with a cold smile. "You Turkic people come to Great Hua, and our Emperor and people treat you with courtesy and sincerity. Yet, how have you treated Great Hua in return?"

"Lord Lin, though our two nations have disputes, even we Turks would not resort to detaining envoys. Your rash actions escalate the conflict, plunging the people into misery and suffering. Aren't you afraid of being branded a sinner for all eternity in Great Hua?" Having laid bare their differences, Lu Dongzan responded without hesitation or concession.

"Detaining envoys? Plunging people into suffering? What grand accusations!" Lin Wanrong laughed heartily. "Brother Lu, I never expected that the Turkic people would be so adept at throwing big hats. But look at my face—is it the face of someone who's frightened? To put it bluntly, I've seen many foreigners with white, green, and black hair. The moment you raise your behind, I know exactly what you're about to excrete."

Lord Lin sneered contemptuously, his brash and shameless tone giving Lu Dongzan a headache. Though the Turkic National Tutor, he found himself at a loss facing such an unconventional character from Great Hua. He could only snort coldly, "So this is how Great Hua treats its guests. The Turks have indeed learned a lesson."

Lord Lin laughed loudly, "The hospitality of Great Hua is renowned, and it's not for thieves like you to comment."

Before Lu Dongzan could respond, Ashile started shouting, "We Turkic warriors are the eagles of the valley and plains. How could we be thieves? How dare you insult the brave and invincible Turkic eagles? Lin San, I challenge you to a duel."

"Duel?" Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Excellent, I enjoy dueling the most. But before that, I need to prove something, to show the people of Great Hua, whether you ferocious and overbearing Turks are really noble eagles or mere thieves? Xu Zhen, Du Xiuyuan, search—"

The people of Great Hua had grown accustomed to being bullied by foreigners, always bearing the brunt of aggression. Yet, today, Lord Lin swept away Great Hua's past timidity, adopting an unyieldingly firm stance, to the delight of his men. To be able to turn the tables on the foreigners, under Lord Lin's leadership, was something they could boast about for the rest of their lives. Without waiting for Du Xiuyuan's order, hundreds of Great Hua soldiers, hungry like wolves and ferocious like tigers, rushed forward, overturning the three large carts where Ashile was located.

Countless pieces of silk, satin, cloth, and tea leaves were uncovered, and with a clang, the tip of a soldier's spear seemed to strike something hard. Du Xiuyuan's face brightened, and several soldiers turned the cart over, revealing a dark, shiny iron cannon barrel lying on the ground, its luster faint but visible.

Ashile and Lu Dongzan's faces changed drastically. Ashile gripped his saber tightly, shooting glances at Lu Dongzan. Lu Dongzan looked around at the glaring Great Hua soldiers and shook his head slightly.

"General, we've found a Great Hua-made cannon barrel, a base, and several fuses," Du Xiuyuan reported proudly, chest puffed out.

"Finely crafted" indeed, Lin Wanrong thought, smiling inwardly as he stepped forward and gently touched the specially made "F*ck Cannon." A sensation of coldness spread into his palm. Even a pile of scrap iron could not be allowed to be taken away by foreigners.

Lin Wanrong sneered, "Ah, Brother, is this how you noble eagles of the grasslands treat your hospitable hosts? What are you planning to do with this cannon? Research it thoroughly for imitation? Your Khagan, what's his name, Bishuang [TL: Means arsenic], he seems quite clever, recognizes quality."

"It's Bilge Khagan, not Bishuang," Ashile muttered, but Lord Lin glared at him, and he dared not speak again.

Lu Dongzan sighed secretly. Great Hua's cannons were the greatest threat to the Turks, and with war looming between the two nations, he had carefully planned to acquire Great Hua's latest cannon technology to take back to the Turks. He hadn't expected to fall entirely into Lin San's hands. This Lin San's way of doing things bore none of the virtuous traditions of the Great Hua people. He was the worst of the worst.

"General, look!" Xu Zhen's face was serious as he ordered the soldiers to overturn the other two carts. With a crashing sound, the lids of the hidden boxes scattered, and black powder poured out.

Dipping his finger into the powder to inspect it closely, Lin Wanrong said with a cold smile, "Brother Lu, what is this?"

"Why ask when you already know, Lord Lin?" Lu Dongzan responded calmly. As a wise national tutor, he knew that preserving strength was the best course of action. He had unhesitatingly rejected Ashile's proposal just now, as Lin San's cunning would lead to a slaughter should they resist. Lu Dongzan had no doubt about this.

Lin Wanrong laughed, "Brother Lu, you truly go to great lengths. I don't know where you managed to get these several hundred pounds of gunpowder, but you're willing to carry them all the way back to the Turks. What tenacity, what skill. By the way, Brother Lu, where did you purchase this gunpowder? I'd like to get some myself, to set off firecrackers for the New Year!"

Lü Dongzan spoke calmly, "Gunpowder? I bought it at the market. Just as Master Lin said, we are merely taking it back to set off some fireworks."

Lin Wanrong threw his head back and laughed, "Fireworks, very well then! A few days ago on the road, I too nearly had fireworks set off at me. It seems, Brother Lu, that you share the same hobby as they do."

General Lin's sharp and meticulous mind could dissect the slightest detail, and his casual remark struck at the heart of the matter. A shock went through Lu Dongzan, and he hurriedly shut his mouth.

"Even if you didn't say anything, I would know," Lin Wanrong said with a faint smile. "These several hundred pounds of explosives are no small matter, and it couldn't have been done without immense influence. Am I right, Brother Lu?"

Knowing that some things were inevitably transparent to Lord Lin, Lu Dongzan, a straightforward person, laughed heartily, "Brother Lin, although we stand on opposing sides, in my eyes, you are the only person in Great Hua that I respect. If the others possessed even half of your spirit and wisdom, Great Hua would not be what it is today. Unfortunately, the people of Great Hua crave comfort and lack ambition. Some even sell out their ancestors for personal gain, which is truly shameful."

Being looked down upon by a foreigner should have angered Master Lin, but Lu Dongzan's words hit the mark. Great Hua's tribulations and humiliations were painful enough, but what was even more infuriating was that throughout its history, Great Hua had always suffered from traitors. Why had this come to pass?

"General Lin, General Lin—" Hu Bugui's gentle question interrupted Lin Wanrong's thoughts: "What should we do with these northern nomads?"

Capturing them had been easy, but dealing with them was not so simple. They could neither be killed nor released, which made the situation problematic. No wonder Lu Dongzan seemed so composed as a prisoner; he clearly understood the situation. Unlike the rash impulsiveness of ordinary northern nomads, he could bend and adapt—a true talent.

"Take them to the military camp and inform Master Xu Wei and General Li Tai. Let them report to the Emperor for disposition," Lin Wanrong waved his hand, passing the hot potato to the old Xu and the Emperor to worry about.

"Let me go, let me go! I can walk myself!" A few soldiers were pushing Lu Dongzan forward, and he struggled, his clothes in disarray. The small cannon in his hand even fell to the ground.

"Let him go!" Lin Wanrong waved his hand.

Lu Dongzan looked back at him and smiled, "Master Lin, today in this contest, Lu Dongzan admits defeat first. However, in the future on the battlefield, when our two nations clash, Lu Dongzan will never lose to you again."

Lin Wanrong waved his hand, signaling his generals to take away the few northern nomads. Du Xiuyuan stood beside him, puzzled, "General, how did you know of Ashile's whereabouts?"

Lin Wanrong smiled faintly, "It's quite simple, really. Lu Dongzan is an extraordinary man with a great interest in our Great Hua's cannon technology. He went to great lengths to borrow a cannon and then played a trick to deceive our eyes. Knowing that we would send people to watch him secretly, he deliberately acted foolish and caused an uproar in the capital, making everyone let down their guard against a few fools. But in secret, he had already planned, disassembling the cannon and taking it back to the Turks after playing the ruse. When we pursued them here, we only saw Lu Dongzan, not Ashile, and his caravan was so orderly and unhurried, as if intentionally blocking the way. The most important point, as you, Brother Du, have mentioned, is that they had packed at least seven large carts, yet Lu Dongzan only had four or five. Where had the other three gone? There was only one possibility: they had divided their forces into two paths. This official road is the necessary route to the north, so I ordered Xu Zhen to lead light-armed cavalry to take shortcuts across the fields and wilderness to chase them, and indeed, I found them."

Listening to General Lin's analysis, Du Xiuyuan was suddenly enlightened, his admiration beyond words. Lin Wanrong crouched down and picked up something that had fallen in the mud and sand.

It was the small cannon that had been given to Lu Dongzan earlier; it had fallen apart. Seeing Master Lin carefully blowing the dirt off the barrel, Du Xiuyuan asked, puzzled, "General Lin, what are you going to do with such a small cannon?"

Master Lin chuckled, "Though the cannon is small, it is better than an earthworm. The people of the Turks may need it, but the people of Dongyin desire it even more. Pack it up, pack it up, we'll take it as a gift to Dongyin next time!"

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