Chapter Sixty-Four: Journey to the State of Qi

After Su’er revealed everything, it seemed as though her emotional knot had finally loosened. She no longer maintained her previous indifference, and Meng Di observed this with secret relief.

For both official and personal reasons, it was imperative to go to the state of Qi.

Ji Ran was quite troubled; his lord was admirable in every way except for her unpredictable thinking. They had just won two towns, yet instead of consolidating their power, she insisted on stirring things up in Qi.

“That’s why I have you, sir,” Meng Di replied with an apologetic smile. Ji Ran excelled at governance and administration—though he complained, he actually enjoyed it. All Meng Di needed to do was delegate.

The two discussed their plans. Traveling to Qi under the guise of a merchant caravan would be best. The bronze being transported from Han was the most valuable commodity of this era. Meng Di had established a rule: all ceremonial and musical instruments should be kept to a minimum. Items like tripods, cauldrons, and chime bells consumed vast amounts of bronze, so her territory had accumulated a great stockpile.

After half a year of preparation, Meng Di selected five hundred soldiers as guards, led by Liu Xiazhi, to transport Lu’s specialty, Lu silk, and secretly carry a thousand catties of bronze to Qi.

To enter Qi from Lu, one had to cross a Great Wall stretching a thousand miles. It was once the border between Qi and Lu: “South of the Wall is Lu; north of the Wall is Qi.”

Qi had built the wall when Lu was strong and Qi was weak. Its foundation was laid with blocks of stone, and its upper sections were rammed earth reinforced with boulders, a structure both solid and formidable, nearly impossible to breach.

Arriving at the checkpoint, Meng Di saw bustling merchants coming and going, with caravans of hundreds not uncommon.

The guards were used to this, conducting only cursory inspections before letting travelers pass.

Beyond the wall, heading east, lay the capital city of Linzi.

Linzi, once called Yingqiu, was renamed for its proximity to the Zi River. It was considered the most prosperous metropolis of its time. The city teemed with people and merchants, sleeves forming shadows and sweat falling like rain.

The death of Tian Rangju was still shrouded in mystery. Meng Di had no intention of approaching the Tian family directly, choosing instead to settle in before making further plans.

The taverns were lively and boisterous, filled with spirited debates—a testament to the openness of Qi’s society. Yet today, most discussions centered on the martial contest.

“What is the martial contest?”

“You don’t know the martial contest?” The Qi native, speaking animatedly, rolled his eyes in disdain.

Liu Xiazhi, seasoned in the world’s ways, knew how to handle such folk. He signaled the tavern keeper to send over a jug of hot, cloudy wine. The man’s mood improved, and he answered with satisfaction, “You must be from out of town. The martial contest is unique to Qi.”

He sized up Liu Xiazhi—muscular, sword at his waist—and his eyes brightened. “If you’re skilled in combat, you can enter.”

“What are the benefits?” Liu Xiazhi perked up.

“Benefits? Plenty.” The man took a sip of wine, shaking his head and continuing, “You know about the rank of ‘Brave Noble,’ right?”

Seeing Liu Xiazhi’s confused expression, he shook his head, saying, “Clearly, you outsiders know nothing. ‘Brave Noble’ is a rank equal to that of a high official. If you’re skilled in combat, you can gain it simply by participating in the contest.”

“Really? Where is the contest held?” Liu Xiazhi was overjoyed. Since pledging allegiance to Meng Di, he’d occasionally received instruction from Lady Su’er, and felt his swordsmanship had improved rapidly—he fancied himself second only to Su’er.

“Don’t rush,” the man waved his hand. “There’s no ‘Brave Noble’ now.”

“Are you playing with me?”

“Though the rank is gone, the martial contest remains. If you win, you can join the ranks of the state’s elite or even become a general outright—still remarkable!”

Hearing there was no high official rank, Liu Xiazhi lost interest. He already served his lord and commanded elite troops; who would want to be a general in Qi?

Meng Di found the conversation intriguing and glanced at Su’er. Veiled in light gauze, Su’er nodded slightly, signaling that the man spoke truthfully.

It turned out the rank of ‘Brave Noble’ was established by Duke Zhuang of Qi, Lü Guang—a rather eccentric figure, inept at governing, impatient with Yan Ying’s long-winded advice, eventually kicking him back to the Eastern Sea to fish.

Lü Guang had two passions: martial arts and other men’s wives.

Of course, he didn’t practice martial arts himself; he preferred watching others compete, selecting those skilled in combat.