I Want the Money-and the Person Too!

Niu Youdao cupped his hands. "This incompetent one is Niu Youdao. Greetings, General Feng!"

That's right—the female general was Feng Ruonan, the youngest daughter among General Feng Lingbo's three children. Hearing this, she arched her brows slightly. "An old acquaintance? What kind of old acquaintance are you and I?"

Niu Youdao replied with a smile, "Does the general still remember the bamboo raft on the river in Ziyun Commandery back then? I had quite a deep impression of you, General. I dodged your arrow, only to nearly freeze to death in the river."

The corners of Feng Ruonan's lips curled slightly. She did remember that incident. Even without receiving news from Shang Chaozong's party, she had already remembered the name Niu Youdao. After shooting the token away and leaving back then, she had suddenly wondered whether that brat might have frozen to death in the river. She had considered turning back to look, but after taking the river's course into account, she figured she probably wouldn't find him and gave up. Later, what deepened her impression was that people from the Shangqing Sect had found her with her token and asked her to confirm whether she had truly crossed paths with Niu Youdao. Only then did she learn that the clever boy on the bamboo raft was named Niu Youdao and had already joined the Shangqing Sect. Niu Youdao himself, however, still knew nothing about this.

Then there was the recent matter. The moment she heard that Shang Chaozong's accompanying Daoist Master was a disciple of the Shangqing Sect named Niu Youdao, she immediately recalled who he was. According to the news she had only seen that morning, Niu Youdao had defeated Senior Brother Song Yanqing and two other fellow disciples in succession, which had astonished her even more. He had only joined the Shangqing Sect a few years ago—how could he already possess such strength? The spear she had thrown just now had been intended as a probing attack, but Yuan Gang had intercepted it.

"So it was you!" Feng Ruonan showed a trace of disdain and said mockingly, "What? Did you come today to seek revenge against this general?"

Niu Youdao said, "I wouldn't dare. I came to the commandery city on the Prince's orders to purchase supplies. Remembering that an old acquaintance was here, I came especially to pay you a visit."

Feng Ruonan said, "Just for that?"

Niu Youdao let out an awkward laugh. "Of course not. There's also a small matter I'd like to ask the general to help me with."

Feng Ruonan couldn't help sneering. Her expression clearly said, Why should I help you? Yet she readily said aloud, "Tell me first."

Niu Youdao rubbed his hands together, looking a little embarrassed. "I'd like to borrow some money from the general. I wonder if your finances are convenient at the moment?"

Borrow money? Feng Ruonan was visibly stunned for a moment. Suspicious, she asked, "How much?"

Niu Youdao cheerfully held up one finger. "Not much—just ten thousand gold coins!"

Feng Ruonan's expression shifted slightly. What a joke—he had asked for ten thousand gold coins the moment he opened his mouth. To her, that sum wasn't huge, but neither was it small. She and Niu Youdao certainly weren't close enough for her to lend him that much. What was more, he was mixed up with Shang Chaozong's faction. She immediately waved her hand without the slightest courtesy. "My finances are extremely tight. It's completely inconvenient. Daoist Master, you'd better find someone else. Guards, see the guest out!"

At once, a woman in black flashed down from the platform and extended a hand. "Please!"

Niu Youdao raised a hand to indicate that she should wait, shamelessly putting on a pleading face. "Why don't you name your conditions, General? What would it take for you to lend me the money?" Seeing her impatience and clear unwillingness to continue the conversation, his thoughts raced. He felt he had to arouse her curiosity. He immediately changed his wording. "One hour. I'll only borrow it for one hour. I'll return it to you the moment that hour is up!" He raised one finger again.

Borrow ten thousand gold coins for one hour? Feng Ruonan was indeed somewhat curious about what this fellow wanted to do. She said coldly, "Why should I trust you? What if you run off with the money? Who am I supposed to collect the debt from?" She was only saying it casually. On her own turf, she truly wasn't worried that Niu Youdao could get very far in an hour.

Niu Youdao thumped his chest. "I won't run. How about I remain here as a hostage? If I can't return the money after one hour, you may do whatever you wish with me. Kill me or carve me up—I'll accept it!"

Feng Ruonan sneered disdainfully. "What use is your life? Won't the Song Family take that little life of yours sooner or later?" She clearly already knew that he had killed Song Yanqing.

Niu Youdao threw his head back and laughed. "The Song Family won't find it so easy to take my life. But since the general thinks so, I'm willing to make a wager with you. If I lose, then after one hour I'll return ten thousand gold coins with ten times the principal and interest—one hundred thousand gold coins. I absolutely won't go back on my word!"

One hundred thousand gold coins? That truly wasn't a small sum. Several women in black exchanged glances.

Feng Ruonan was somewhat tempted. One hundred thousand gold coins would be enough to pay several rounds of wages to every soldier in Guangyi Commandery. But she refused to yield verbally and mocked, "You need to borrow even ten thousand gold coins. Where will you get one hundred thousand gold coins to give me?"

Niu Youdao said, "Even if I can't produce one hundred thousand gold coins, I'll certainly produce something worth that amount to settle the debt. Although my Prince doesn't have ready cash, he still possesses a few valuable assets. If the general doesn't believe me, I'm willing to offer this as a token of good faith." He pulled a token from his robes and tossed it over. He had borrowed it from Shang Chaozong before setting out, saying that since he was coming to see General Feng, he needed a token to confirm his identity. It would also make it easier to command his accompanying guards.

The woman in black on the other side caught it, inspected it, and handed it to Feng Ruonan. When the latter looked at it, she discovered that it was Shang Chaozong's Commandery King's token. After examining it repeatedly, she confirmed that it should be genuine. The imperial seal upon it had been crafted with uncanny artistry, making it extremely difficult to counterfeit. The token was valuable, yet also not valuable—the key lay in the authority of its owner. To Shang Chaozong as he was now, the token itself was clearly worth little. But then again, to Shang Chaozong personally, it represented credibility and immense dignity. In other words, it was worthless to others, but valuable to Shang Chaozong.

With the token in hand, Feng Ruonan felt reassured. She wasn't afraid that Shang Chaozong would refuse to honor the debt. Toying with the token, she said calmly, "What kind of wager do you want to make?"

Niu Youdao said, "As I said, I'd like to borrow ten thousand gold coins from the general and return them within one hour. This token will serve as collateral."

Feng Ruonan waved the token in her hand. "I'm asking how you want to wager."

Niu Youdao cursed inwardly. This woman's appetite is truly enormous. It seems she really wants to make that one hundred thousand gold coins. His so-called wager had merely been meant to pique her interest and keep the conversation going, instead of being driven away after failing to see eye to eye in a sentence or two. He gave an awkward laugh. "There's no need to wager, is there?"

Feng Ruonan arched a brow, her expression turning cold. "How dare you play me?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Fine, fine, we'll make the wager!" Niu Youdao raised both hands in a surrendering gesture and came up with the terms. "Ten thousand gold coins, borrowed for one hour. I wager that when the time comes, the general won't let me return the money and will instead let me leave the military camp safely. If I win, I naturally won't need to repay the ten thousand gold coins. If I lose, I'll offer you one hundred thousand gold coins, principal and interest included. What does the general think?"

Feng Ruonan pondered for a moment, sensing that something was wrong with the wager. Her bright eyes flickered as she sneered, "I don't think that's appropriate. It would be better to change the terms. I'll lend you ten thousand gold coins, and you must return them within one hour. If you return them safely, I'll let you leave unharmed. If you're late, you'll repay me one hundred thousand gold coins, principal and interest included, and I'll deal with you as I please. And him..." She lifted her chin toward Yuan Gang. "If you fail to repay the money on time, he'll come serve under my command. How about that?"

Niu Youdao could barely keep from laughing. This woman truly refused to suffer even the slightest loss. With these terms, she wouldn't lose either way. He deliberately made himself look troubled. "General, under your terms, I don't seem to gain anything at all!"

Feng Ruonan glared. "Isn't my willingness to lend you money itself a benefit? Do you think just anyone can borrow money from me? What, you're not confident you can repay it within an hour? In that case, did you deliberately come here to swindle money?"

Niu Youdao smiled bitterly. "I'm willing to stay here as a hostage. How could I be swindling you?"

Feng Ruonan barked, "If you're confident you can repay it on time, what are you afraid of? Are you wagering or not?" Her hand settled on the sword hilt at her waist, and she looked ready to draw it in anger.

Niu Youdao could only laugh and cry at once. "Fine, fine, I'll listen to the general. I'll wager!"

Feng Ruonan looked toward Yuan Gang. "Hey, big fellow, do you agree?"

Yuan Gang nodded. Feng Ruonan decisively waved her hand. "Bring me ten thousand gold coins!"

Before long, several people carried over a heavy chest. When the lid was opened, a heap of glittering gold coins was revealed inside. An empty chest was placed beside it, and the coins were transferred between the chests in front of Niu Youdao and Yuan Gang—actually, they were simply counting them carefully.

After confirming that the amount was correct, Feng Ruonan waved her hand again. "Brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Draw up the wager contract!"

Someone immediately brought the writing materials and prepared the wager contract, then carried it over for both sides to affix their seals. Feng Ruonan, Niu Youdao, and Yuan Gang all signed it, and each side kept a copy.

The borrowing process was considered complete. Yuan Gang squatted down and gave a shout. Drawing a deep breath and releasing it with force, he actually lifted the chest, which would have taken several people to carry, all by himself. He raised his arm and half-hoisted it onto his shoulder. This once again caused Feng Ruonan's eyes to shine. She secretly praised him: What a man. What tremendous strength. He could become a fierce general!

"General, I'll escort him to the entrance and explain a few things to him. I'll be back shortly." Niu Youdao turned and asked Feng Ruonan for permission. After all, he had already agreed to remain as a hostage.

Feng Ruonan magnanimously waved her hand. She wasn't worried that Niu Youdao could escape on her turf.

After the two brothers had walked a little farther away, Niu Youdao looked back once, then muttered to Yuan Gang, who was carrying the chest beside him, "That woman means us no good. Her appetite is enormous. Nine times out of ten, she wants to swindle me. Just wait—I'll see how she cries later!"

Yuan Gang said, "Daoist Master, be careful. If you swindle her like this, she may hate you for the rest of her life."

Niu Youdao chuckled. "I'm clearly helping her, aren't I? Monkey, speaking of which, that woman's build looks like a good match for you."

"Your eyes are faulty!" Yuan Gang shot him a contemptuous look, then changed his tune. "If you can get her to agree, I don't mind."

"Uh..." Niu Youdao gave an awkward laugh. "Forget it. A fiery horse like that isn't something just anyone is qualified to ride. You and I, brothers, have no luck enjoying her. Let someone blessed with good fortune have that pleasure."

On the command platform, watching the two men disappear into the distance, Feng Ruonan said to those around her, "Go keep an eye on them and see what tricks they're plotting. Don't let them escape. If necessary, pass down my order to seal all four city gates! Also, make preparations. If they really can return the money on time, set up obstacles along the way. Don't let them come back within the allotted time. I'm certain to win this wager. I want the money—and I want the person too!"

The four female guards beside her were named Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju. Hearing this, all four chuckled; they knew their mistress had never meant well. Zhu and Ju nodded in acknowledgment and left to make preparations.