Chapter Forty-Five: Testing

"You don't understand. Anyone can keep accounts, but we cannot," Tie Shudeng said with a bitter smile.

"Why?" Han Yuanzi asked in utter confusion.

Ye Xin's gaze lingered briefly on Han Yuanzi before shifting away. This man had been ruined by Han Sanmei's overprotective nurturing. Perhaps, overwhelmed by the pain of losing his son, Han Sanmei poured all his regrets into raising his two grandsons, but growth is a long journey; too much guidance robs one of the ability to think independently.

Tie Shudeng had joined the army before Tie Renhao and returned with news of the Great David Kingdom's victory, further elevating his reputation—this was his advantage.

If he wished to solidify this advantage, he must exude an aura: Tie Shudeng has wealth and followers, meaning, for a considerable time, he must lavish money and build connections everywhere.

Keeping accounts is no big deal, but if it spreads, some might see Tie Shudeng as all show and no substance, at least not favored by Tie Xinsheng. If Tie Xinsheng truly wishes for Tie Shudeng to become the successor, he would support him in such matters, not ignore them.

How can a dignified successor lack funds? There are many clever people in Nine Cauldrons City; showing weakness anywhere could spark unfavorable gossip.

Of course, Tie Renhao was far less capable than Han Yuanzi, a genuine fool. If Ye Xin were in that position and received precious ingredients, he would never indulge with idle friends; instead, he would divide them among the ministers—on one hand, to show respect for court officials, and on the other, to display his father's favor. Using them himself would be pure waste, showing no sense for building influence.

Or perhaps, in Tie Renhao's small mind, showing off before his friends was enough—his vision pitifully narrow.

"Xiao Meng, do you have any gold notes on you?" Tie Shudeng turned to Wang Meng, ignoring Han Yuanzi.

"Whenever I go out with you, have I ever brought money?" Wang Meng replied confidently.

Ye Xin nudged Ye Ling with his toe. Ye Ling was momentarily startled, then understood Ye Xin's intention and rose to leave.

"Where is Xiao Ling going?" Tie Shudeng asked anxiously.

"No worries, we'll drink our own," Ye Xin replied with a smile.

Tie Shudeng understood and sighed softly.

"Third Brother, I do have a way to earn some spending money," Ye Xin said.

"What way? Tell us," Tie Shudeng asked, curious.

"Young Ye, it won’t cause trouble, will it?" Han Yuanzi was uneasy; Ye Xin had always been audacious.

"Ha, since when are we afraid of trouble?" Wang Meng laughed.

"Tomorrow won't do, I have other matters. You’ll also be going to the Sky Prison, so the day after tomorrow, we’ll go out together," Ye Xin said evasively.

Tie Shudeng and the others exchanged glances, falling silent.

"Are the Wei family and the Zong family close?" Ye Xin suddenly asked.

Tie Shudeng was startled, his eyes shining as he stared at Ye Xin. Han Yunzi laughed, "Impossible! Young Ye, you don’t understand. The ruler doesn’t quite trust Marshal Wei, so he supports the Zong family to counterbalance Wei Juan. That’s called checks and balances! The water runs deep..."

Han Yunzi was clearly parroting his grandfather, and not entirely accurately. Ye Xin didn’t wish to dampen his confidence; smiling, he turned to Tie Shudeng, "Third Brother, why don’t you say something?"

Tie Shudeng turned, gestured, and the maidservants waiting nearby quietly withdrew.

"Xiao Xin, I find you harder and harder to fathom," Tie Shudeng said gravely. "In all of Nine Cauldrons City, I can count on one hand the people who know this! I thought maybe one of them told you, but that's impossible—you have no chance to meet them! Or... did you figure it out yourself? That’s even less likely… but there's no other explanation!"

"So I guessed right?" Ye Xin’s smile remained unchanged.

"Yes!" Tie Shudeng replied decisively.

"Third Brother, you’re not joking, are you?" Han Yuanzi stared in disbelief.

"Would I joke about this?" Tie Shudeng replied. "Xiao Xin, among brothers, everything can be discussed. Tell me, how did you know?"

"Is it so hard to guess?" Ye Xin said leisurely. "I don't think so."

"Xin-ge, tell us," Wang Meng pressed, curious as well.

"We all know, if the bottleneck can't be broken and one can't become a cultivator, a commander’s golden years are between thirty and fifty. In terms of strength, those with some insight can master killing moves by then. In terms of intellect, ten years’ experience brings enough skill to command armies," Ye Xin explained. "Look at Wei Juan—what did he do between thirty and fifty? He was secluded at Yiming Mountain… The prime years for achievement wasted watching clouds rise and fall, waves surge and subside. Third Brother, do you really think he harbours no resentment?"

Tie Shudeng was moved, the Han brothers stared wide-eyed.

"As the saying goes: 'When a ruler treats his ministers as weeds, ministers see the ruler as an enemy.' Though the ruler often visits him, those small favors mean little. Third Brother, to speak frankly, Wei Juan’s willingness to fight is no longer for the ruler, nor to expand the Great Zhao’s territory—he fights to prove his own ability. In other words, his heart has long drifted from your Tie family."

Tie Shudeng sighed deeply, his face alternating between pale and flushed.

"There’s already been one lesson—he was sidelined for over twenty years. Third Brother, do you think he’ll entrust his prosperity to you without reservation? Who knows when the Tie family will suspect him, and he’ll be abandoned again? Even a dog learns caution," Ye Xin said with a smile.

Tie Shudeng’s gaze grew increasingly complex as he stared at Ye Xin.

"Third Brother, I know what you’re thinking. My father died in battle at Yanbo Mountain, so I too have grievances," Ye Xin paused. "Of course I do, but each matter is separate. I'm not afraid to speak the truth. The ruler and my father had no personal friendship. My father fought for the people of the Great David Kingdom. As long as the people live peacefully, free from Great Zhao's raids, my father was willing to shed blood. But… my father and I are not the same. Third Brother, we grew up together—you know me well. Besides… not just me, even you, Third Brother, are not the same as the ruler."

Tie Shudeng’s cold, frosty face gradually warmed into a smile.

The Han brothers looked at Ye Xin as if he were a monster—so bold! To speak openly of grievances against the ruler was treason! How dare he say it aloud?

Even Wang Meng was uneasy, glancing between Ye Xin and Tie Shudeng, afraid they might quarrel.

"I, Ye Xin, am unruly by nature, lacking many skills, but I am loyal and value friendship!" Ye Xin declared, then filled Tie Shudeng’s cup, and his own.

"Yes! That’s the truth!" Wang Meng nodded vigorously, supporting Ye Xin.

"Uncle Qiu has brought the old generals of the Sky Wolf Legion into Nine Cauldrons City," Ye Xin delivered another bombshell. "Third Brother, let’s be clear. I support the Tie family because of you—from childhood, you protected me. It’s only right I help you! For example… just saying, not cursing Marshal Wei—if he is defeated and the ruler wants to rebuild the Sky Wolf Legion, I wouldn’t care. But if you, Third Brother, asked me to do something, I’d feel duty-bound! Even if I don’t know warfare, I’d put on a show, at least to set an example."

The Han brothers anxiously glanced around, afraid these words would be overheard. They felt the same, but would never dare say so openly.

"Hahaha..." Tie Shudeng burst into loud laughter, raised his cup and toasted Ye Xin, draining it.

Tie Shudeng was in high spirits; first, he could confirm the Sky Wolf generals entered Nine Cauldrons City at Ye Xin’s behest, and second, he’d received a promise—the Sky Wolf Legion would stand with him.

Ye Xin finished his cup, though his limited tolerance had already turned his face red.

"Xiao Xin, just from this, you guessed the relationship between the Wei and Zong families?" Tie Shudeng asked.

"Not difficult," Ye Xin replied with a smile. "Wei Juan wanted to be a lone minister. When he was exiled, no one spoke for him. If he doesn’t wake up, he’s a block of wood. Living in seclusion at Yiming Mountain, cut off from Nine Cauldrons City, even if he sought allies, he wouldn’t know where to begin. Now, look at Wei and Zong together: one exiled, one persecuted, one forced into twenty years of seclusion, one fleeing their homeland. Both full of resentment, both distrustful of the ruler—kindred spirits in adversity..."

"Xiao Xin, you’re simply…" Tie Shudeng sighed deeply.

"Actually, I was only fifty to sixty percent sure, just making an educated guess," Ye Xin said. "But judging from Third Brother’s reaction… I must have guessed right."

"The Zong family proposed marriage to Second Aunt, and she immediately mentioned Zong Yunxiu. The Zong family’s expression must have been wonderful—who knows if Second Aunt noticed? Zong Yunxiu is already betrothed to Wei Qingfan, just not publicly yet, since both families have their own concerns," Tie Shudeng laughed.

"Is Young Ye telling the truth?" Han Yuanzi exclaimed.

"Of course," Tie Shudeng replied gravely. "That’s why we must bring Wei Qingfan to our side!"