Chapter 46: Taking Leave to Return to the Capital

Wang Dayong brought Ma Xiao into the front hall of the Prince Yan's Mansion. At this moment, Zhao Bin was discussing the production of the Zhuge repeating crossbow with Cao礼 and He Miao. Seeing Wang Dayong arrive, they all turned their gazes toward him.

"This subordinate pays respects to Your Highness," Wang Dayong said, raising his hands in a salute. Ma Xiao, standing behind him, also bent over and cupped his fists, but he did not dare to speak.

"Dayong, no need for formalities. Sit down and speak," Zhao Bin said with a smile.

"This subordinate thanks Your Highness," Wang Dayong said unceremoniously, pulling up a chair and sitting down. This scene left Ma Xiao, who had followed him in, dumbfounded. He thought to himself, *What is this? Is the Prince Yan's Mansion really this casual?* Though he thought it, he certainly didn't dare to voice his thoughts.

Zhao Bin glanced at Ma Xiao, who was standing a short distance away with his head lowered. The youth looked young, probably around his own age, and wasn't very tall. Although he stood there in silence, he gave off a vibrant, youthful spirit. Seeing Zhao Bin looking at Ma Xiao, Wang Dayong spoke up, "Your Highness, this kid's name is Ma Xiao. He used to be a human trafficker. When this subordinate went to the slave market to buy bondsmen, I saw that this kid had a sharp wit, so I asked the proprietorship owner for him."

Ma Xiao was indeed quick-witted. Hearing Wang Dayong mention him, he hurriedly dropped to his knees and kowtowed, saying, "This humble one greets His Highness the Prince of Yan. May Your Highness be blessed with boundless fortune!"

Seeing this, Cao Li let out a hearty laugh and said, "Hahaha, Your Highness, he certainly has a discerning eye. He should be of some use."

"Well, since Magistrate Cao and Dayong both think he'll do, there shouldn't be any problem," Zhao Bin said, turning to Ma Xiao. "Get up and speak."

Ma Xiao hurriedly knocked his head a couple of times and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"Are you a native of the capital? Do you have any other family members left?" Zhao Bin asked.

"Reporting to Your Highness, this humble one is a native of the capital. My parents died when I was young, so I sold myself to the slave market when I was a child. The proprietor saw that I was sharp and kept me on at the agency, and after that, I became a trafficker myself..." Ma Xiao recounted his background in detail. Despite his young age, he was considered an old hand at the agency. Whenever a master bought servants, they generally wanted their background thoroughly investigated so that the people they bought could be used with peace of mind.

After listening to Ma Xiao's account, Zhao Bin asked, "Would you prefer to stay here in Yancheng, or would you rather return to the capital with Dayong?"

Hearing this, Ma Xiao felt somewhat bewildered. What did it mean to ask where he preferred to go? Did he even have a choice in the matter? If it were up to him, of course he would choose to return to the capital—who would want to stay in this godforsaken place? Feeling lost, Ma Xiao looked toward Wang Dayong, thinking, *What on earth does His Highness the Prince of Yan mean by this?*

Seeing that Ma Xiao stood in silence for a long time, Wang Dayong snapped irritably, "Why the hell are you looking at me? His Highness asked you a question, why aren't you answering?"

Startled by Wang Dayong's reprimand, Ma Xiao seemed to snap back to his senses and hastily said, "This humble one will obey Your Highness's command. Wherever Your Highness tells this humble one to stay, that is where I shall stay."

"Hahaha, very well. You will return to the capital with Dayong. I have tasks for you to do," Zhao Bin said with a laugh.

"Please give your orders, Your Highness."

"Yancheng is sparsely populated and manpower is insufficient. Once you return to the capital, I want you to continue purchasing slaves for me. The quantity is unlimited; men, women, and even children are acceptable. But there is one condition: you must not act in my name, and no one must know that you are working for me. Do you understand my meaning?"

"Understood, this humble one will remember it." Ma Xiao didn't say he understood completely, because the truth was, he didn't. The intricate political webs of the imperial court were far too high and distant for a low-caste slave without status like him; he couldn't touch them, and naturally, he knew very little about them. Furthermore, he neither cared nor had any way to care—all he cared about was the price of slaves. Ma Xiao was clever. Instead of claiming he understood everything, he said he would remember it, which meant he would obey the Prince's instructions implicitly. Whatever the Prince told him to do, he would do; as for the reasons why, he would listen if the Prince told him, and he would not pry if the Prince didn't.

Zhao Bin looked at the thin, diminutive youth who was of a similar age to himself, nodded with satisfaction, and then said, "You may withdraw for now."

Ma Xiao bowed and backed out of the hall, standing in an open space in the front courtyard.

Inside the room, Zhao Bin asked Wang Dayong, "Have you rested well these past two days?"

"Thanks to Your Highness's concern, this subordinate has thick skin and flesh; a good sleep and I'm fully recovered."

He Miao joked, "Captain Wang seems to have grown a bit thicker in the flesh after returning from the capital this time."

Wang Dayong rubbed the back of his head with some embarrassment and laughed, "Hahaha, although the tavern was busy late into every night, the food was indeed much better than what we had in the military camp. Before I knew it, I put on a few pounds."

"Your Highness, this subordinate plans to return to the capital today. Do you have any other instructions?"

"If you can catch up with Xiao Chu and the others on your return to the capital, have them bring back some copper coins. Although the commoners are performing corvée labor, the end of the year is approaching soon, and we still need to give them some compensation. Although Fourth Imperial Uncle brought over thirty thousand liang last time, it's all in large silver ingots, which are inconvenient to distribute among the commoners. As for purchasing slaves, do not be overly hasty so as to avoid attracting the attention of others; just proceed step by step. That is all. When you move about in the capital, you must still take care to keep your identities concealed. After all, having spent so many years in the capital, you know quite a few people." Zhao Bin gave his instructions one by one.

"Your Highness, rest assured. My subordinates are usually busy in the backyard, and when we go out on business, we will wear disguises. By the way, Your Highness, should we let Sister Xing'er and Chunxi return together with Commander Xiao and his men?"

Hearing this, Zhao Bin hesitated slightly. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Never mind. Fourth Imperial Uncle has just had an incident. Although we don't know who did it, it is likely those few great families. I am worried someone might still try to obstruct them on the road, and if the Emperor in the capital learns of this, he will inevitably take action as well. You all remain in the capital for the time being and keep an eye on the movements of those great families."

"This subordinate understands. Rest assured, Your Highness, I will protect Sister Xing'er well." Having said that, Wang Dayong cast a stealthy glance at Cao Li and He Miao. Seeing the two of them staring fixedly at his conversation with Zhao Bin, a look of disgust suddenly appeared on Wang Dayong's face. This left Cao Li and He Miao somewhat baffled; they exchanged perplexed glances, utterly at a loss. Just a moment ago everything was fine, so why had his expression suddenly changed? Ignoring them entirely, Wang Dayong stood up and said to Zhao Bin, "Your Highness, if you could step aside with me, this subordinate has something else to tell you."

"What is it? Just say it right here," Zhao Bin said, somewhat taken aback.

"Ah, Your Highness, let us step aside."

Seeing this, Cao Li and He Miao hurriedly rose to excuse themselves, but Zhao Bin waved his hand to signal that they needn't move and could just continue with their work. He then stood up and followed Dayong behind the folding screen.

"What the hell, really?" Zhao Bin asked in surprise behind the screen.

"Of course it's true! That young maiden was brought back from the slave market by this subordinate personally. Once washed clean, she's as fair and tender as can be."

"Did you actually go looking at her body, you bastard?"

"No, Your Highness, this subordinate was talking about her face! Her face was fair, I didn't see her body." Wang Dayong said with a hint of disappointment.

"Tsk tsk, then why didn't you bring her back?" Zhao Bin said with a look of disdain.

"Sister Xing'er wouldn't allow it, saying she was afraid the girl wouldn't be able to endure the hardship along the way, so she kept her by her side to help out first. Your Highness, should I have Commander Xiao bring her back to you?"

"Heh, Dayong, I never realized you had this kind of potential. Tell me what you want, and I'll reward you," Zhao Bin said with a mischievous grin.

Dayong smiled knowingly and said, "Your Highness flatters me."

"You deserve a reward. Wang Wu, Wang Wu! Bring over that steel saber newly forged by Han Tie."

Hearing Zhao Bin's call from the backyard, Wang Wu hurried in from outside. Earlier, Consort Ding had someone bring back a saber manual, telling Zhao Bin to practice more in his spare time for self-defense. While continuously experimenting with steelmaking, Han Tie had forged one for Zhao Bin. Although it couldn't compare to modern steel, compared to the steel-forging technology of that era, it was indeed a top-grade steel saber. If it clashed directly with ordinary sabers and swords, it would remain completely undamaged, whereas ordinary weapons would either be snapped directly or left with a massive notch. Wang Wu unbuckled the saber at his waist and handed it to Zhao Bin. Zhao Bin took the weapon and passed it to Wang Dayong: "There you go, Dayong. This fine saber is your reward."

Wang Dayong was bewildered, thinking to himself, *What's so great about Wang Wu's sword?*

Wang Wu was equally bewildered, thinking, *Why on earth is he rewarding Dayong?*

Both of them wore strange expressions. Wang Dayong thought, *Your Highness, you are truly stingy,* while Wang Wu thought, *You've really lucked out, you punk.*

"Hand your saber to Old Wu, and let's try a direct clash."

The two of them stepped out into the courtyard. With a sharp *clang*, the two sabers struck one another, and Wang Dayong's saber was cleanly notched with a massive gouge. In truth, Wang Dayong's saber had been specially issued to the imperial guards by the court, and could be considered a fine blade for its time, but its hardness was far inferior to that forged by Zhao Bin's ironworks.

"Ah, Your Highness, what a fine sword! This subordinate thanks Your Highness!" Dayong cradled the saber and bowed excitedly.

Wang Wu looked aggrieved as he chimed in, "Your Highness, I haven't even finished wearing this saber yet. Could you let me play with it for a few more days before rewarding this kid?"

Unhappy with this, Dayong immediately swung the saber behind his back and said, "Brother Wu, that's not fair of you. Why don't you just ask the ironworks to forge you another one?"

"I've gotten used to wearing this one. How about I have the ironworks forge another one for you instead?" Wang Wu said, reluctant to part with it.

"I'm returning to the capital today, where would I have the time to wait? Your Highness, if there is nothing else, this subordinate will be on my way," Dayong said, making as if to leave.

Zhao Bin hurriedly stopped him and said, "Hold on, let that person stay in the capital for now. The weather in Yancheng is dry, and if she comes now she might not be able to handle it. Wait until the weather moderates before sending her back. Just have Xiao Chu and the others return as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Highness." Wang Dayong said nothing more, offered a final bow, and took his leave.