The General’s Sharp Tongue and the Merchant’s Gambit

Candlelight flickered, casting tiny sparks from the bronze sparrow lampstand within the military tent.

Jiang Buwei’s knuckles, gripping the rhinoceros horn cup, had turned faintly white.

Her gaze fell upon Xia Qian, who stood with downcast eyes amidst the banquet.

A sourness rose in her throat, much like the lingering aftertaste of plum wine.

What in the world was this boy playing at?

He knew he was meant to serve honored guests, yet he hadn’t even bothered to observe how meticulously others had dressed.

Now, hasn’t he simply invited trouble upon himself?

The silver-haired business empress lowered her gaze, concealing the storm brewing within her eyes.

Yet, the taut line of her shoulders beneath her wolf-fur cloak betrayed her true emotions.

Ever since she had ‘selected’ this new ‘branch’ from Willow Lane, she had long considered the naive young man part of her own territory.

Watching the noblewomen scrutinize Xia Qian with gazes akin to disdain for a defective product, Jiang Buwei inwardly clicked her tongue in displeasure.

It was as if she were witnessing jackals of the trade circling her own precious goods.

“In my humble opinion, this isn’t merely the fault of this lowly male courtesan.”

Supervisor Tian, the first to launch an attack, had a wide, fleshy face, three white sclera visible around her pupils, and wine stains clinging to the golden-threaded cloud patterns of her cuffs.

“To allow such a disrespectful person into our presence, others cannot escape blame, oh…”

As her sarcastic tone stirred the atmosphere, various expressions of dissatisfaction immediately rippled through the banquet.

“Exactly, they should be punished collectively! All these male courtesans ought to be dragged out!”

“How dare Willow Lane of Liangqu show such disregard for the General-in-Chief, sending us such shoddy goods…”

Words flew back and forth, laced with veiled accusations.

However, everyone present understood the unspoken truth: the male courtesans had been brought in by the female soldiers under the border camp’s command.

In essence, these people were indirectly rebuking the General-in-Chief’s subordinates for their incompetence right in front of her, a clear case of berating the dog to scold its master.

Jiang Buwei raised her wine cup, feigning a sip, and only caught a glimpse of the roasted lamb’s head on General-in-Chief Long Yan’s table, still sizzling with oil.

The lamb’s empty eyes seemed to stare blankly at the unfolding farce.

Suddenly, Long Yan tilted her head back, draining the strong spirits from her goblet, before smashing the bronze vessel down onto the tiger-skin cushion with a resounding thud.

The crisp clash of her crimson-gold wrist guards against the table startled the personal guards keeping watch outside the tent, causing their sabers to rattle.

“Ah, ah, I know you all harbor dissatisfaction. What truly offends you, gentlemen, is naturally not merely these trivial matters. A foot of ice does not form in a single day—to put it plainly, you resent my, Long’s, delays and neglect, which have wasted your precious time.”

“Since those present feel displeasure, why don’t you all use this wine as an opportunity to speak your minds openly!”

A deathly silence descended upon the tent, so profound that even the crackle of sparks from the charcoal brazier was distinctly audible.

Supervisor Tian, who had initiated the commotion, froze, her wine cup suspended halfway to her lips.

The foam trembled precariously, threatening to spill over the rim.

The noblewomen who had been whispering amongst themselves moments before collectively fell silent, like fighting cocks whose necks had been wrung.

Long Yan, the General-in-Chief of Liangqu’s Northern Frontier, was known throughout the Western Huan court as nothing more than a brave and reckless Flame General.

Yet, no one had expected this woman to be so infuriatingly straightforward.

When faced with veiled criticisms, she would directly and bluntly call them out, completely disregarding the fundamental rules of social etiquette in high society.

To officials and aristocrats, such an impulsive act was practically equivalent to openly tearing off all pretense.

To escalate a minor grievance into a deep-seated feud simply to save face would be a significant loss.

“General-in-Chief, you jest… How could we possibly be upset with you?”

Elderly Administrator Zhao, the leader of the group, let out two dry laughs, breaking the awkward silence.

“It is merely that we fear someone might misinterpret your intentions in hosting us, and that it might damage your reputation if word were to spread.”

“Precisely, precisely!”

“How could we dare to be displeased with the General-in-Chief?”

Amidst the chorus of agreement, Long Yan flicked her finger against her wine goblet.

Her gaze swept across those seated below, and she leaned slightly forward, a relieved smile spreading across her lips.

“So that’s it. Now that everything has been cleared up, and since no one harbors any dissatisfaction, then for the numerous matters concerning the deployment of border military supplies and the reserves of winter provisions, I shall rely on all of you to negotiate properly with me, Long. Please, do not secretly cause any trouble, alright?”

The casually drawn-out final syllable lingered, and the Xuanbird bronze bells hanging from the tent ceiling began to sway without a breeze.

Though the General-in-Chief’s expression still held a smile, the authoritative aura she exuded carried a distinct warning.

Everyone could hear the subtext: I have given you an opportunity to express your dissatisfaction directly to me. If anyone harbors resentment afterward, do not blame me, Long, for being impolite.

As she spoke, Long Yan’s eyes reflected a brilliant, fierce light, making it impossible to discern whether it was merely the reflection of the candlelight or a fiery glow originating from within.

A collective gasp echoed through the tent, and the jade-inlaid cloud-patterned shoes of the high-ranking noblewomen instinctively recoiled half an inch.

Only then did the high officials and noblewomen realize, with a start, that the commander seated on the throne was no soft persimmon to be easily manipulated.

The Western Huan Northern Army, commanded by Long Yan, was the very bulwark that allowed Liangqu City to sleep soundly amidst the northern barbarians and demonic scourges.

Watching the previously aggressive gossips turn into withered seedlings, Xia Qian felt a secret satisfaction, yet also a growing admiration for the commander on the seat.

She had initially thought this female general was a straightforward person who only knew how to use sincerity as her ultimate weapon, speaking whatever was on her mind.

But she had not expected that her bluntness was merely the first strike to dismantle the nobles’ hypocritical rhetoric.

Her true killer move was to first offer courtesy, then unleash force.

Indeed, how could one command a great army without some profound insight into human nature?

“However, one thing at a time—”

Long Yan suddenly leaned back, her deerskin boots landing on the table’s edge with a thud.

“Supervisor Tian is right; the scoundrel who ruined everyone’s good time should be punished.”

Xia Qian almost let out a dry, bitter laugh.

Wait, I just praised you! And in the blink of an eye, you’re labeling me a scoundrel?

However, just as she realized she was, predictably, about to become a scapegoat, used by the General-in-Chief as a stepping stone for the nobles to save face,

Long Yan suddenly changed the subject.

She twirled an empty wine goblet between her fingers, her gaze, a mixture of smile and no smile, falling upon the moon-white figure.

“But then again, my military law only governs soldiers… How about this, Brother Yan? The person is from Willow Lane, so it would be appropriate to follow your house rules. In your opinion, how should they be dealt with?”

Seeing Long Yan naturally hand the decision-making power to Yan Bai, Jiang Buwei felt a slight easing of tension.

As someone also from Willow Lane, he should help speak well for a member of their community.

However, she was still aware that due to their status, even if Yan Bai and she were both acquaintances of Long Yan, and even if the General-in-Chief intended to favor her friends, their influence would be minimal.

It seems I might have to speak up myself if necessary, to save that reckless Xia Qian’s life…

Seemingly having considered the same point as Jiang Buwei, Yan Bai deliberated for a moment before speaking unhurriedly.

“Yan Bai apologizes on behalf of Willow Lane to all present.”

Three wine cups were filled in succession, and as Yan Bai tilted his head back to drain them, the ripple in his throat was as elegant as if he were savoring ambrosia.

The wine-moistened color of his lips became even more vivid, and his gesture of dabbing his lips with his sleeve caused a few young noblewomen’s throats to subtly move.

“This young man is a refugee from the northern deserts.”

Brother Yan’s jade-like finger vaguely pointed at Xia Qian.

“His tribe considers plain white garments auspicious, and only by wearing unbound hair and bare feet can one truly show sincerity.”

“His attire today may seem disrespectful, but it is, in fact, the highest form of reverence offered to noble guests.”

Xia Qian nearly choked on her own saliva—this young master’s fabrications were thicker than Daddy Liu’s rouge.