"Company Commander Yan, do you think this should be enough?"
"Would you like some water?"
"I have a fine weapon here as well. It's yours!"
The morning sunlight fell from the east, dazzling and hazy.
Looking east from the blacksmith shop, beyond either side of the dirt-and-rubble road, wild grass sprawled, withered yellow and shriveled.
Autumn had come, and winter was not far away.
Once every year, Blacksmith Kong had to hand over a portion of the ironware he forged to the imperial court.
Of course, the iron used for this ironware was supplied by the court.
"Hmm... Blacksmith Kong, you've done well for yourself. You've even got something as fancy as tea at home. Shipped from South of the River, was it? This stuff costs a pretty penny!" Company Commander Yan laughed heartily as he drank his tea. "Boys, weigh the iron for me. Close enough will do!"
"I remember Old Kong was given four hundred jin of iron at the start of the year. Weigh it and see if it's right."
Company Commander Yan's four or five subordinates began busily weighing the ironware.
Company Commander Yan narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at Blacksmith Kong. "Old Kong... I hear you have a daughter who's quite a looker, a famous beauty here in our Master Ma Town!"
Blacksmith Kong shuddered in fright. "No, no, no... You must be joking, Company Commander Yan. Our eldest girl was born and raised here. She's very rough around the edges!"
"Heh, heh, heh... Don't worry!" Company Commander Yan reached out and patted Old Kong on the shoulder. "I'm not interested in your daughter. I'm always away fighting wars. Taking a wife or concubine here would be a nuisance. What I mean is, if she's truly a beauty who could topple cities and kingdoms,