Chapter 95: Cheng Yuan's Visit

Leading Zhao Ming, Zhang Feng, and other soldiers, Li Zhan hurried toward the west gate. The players summoned to attack the Red-Haired Bandits sensed excitement ahead and did not want to miss out, quickly trailing behind.

Outside the west gate stood four or five tea stalls, catering to passing players and NPCs, earning a bit of coin. These stalls were rudimentary, topped with patched cotton canopies for shade. Beneath the canopies were two or three square wooden tables and six or seven long wooden benches. The cotton canopies, tables, and benches were bought from the Yanhuang village town during the day and returned there each night after closing. A player managed the tea stall, assisted by two villagers—enough to handle the light traffic in the early morning and evening. Around midday, the player would return from leveling spots to help out for a while.

It was a sultry afternoon, and the stone road from the west gate to the shipyard bustled with people. Many players and NPCs would sit at the tea stalls for a moment, sipping cool tea to beat the heat—just like the group of NPCs before Li Zhan. Judging by their attire, these were wealthy and influential figures. An old man with silver-white hair sat on a bench, dressed in expensive silk garments. To his left stood a man who seemed to be a steward, currently arguing with the player running the tea stall. On his right was a pale, slender scholar with a cold gaze, clutching a long object wrapped in coarse linen. Behind them stood six stern-looking retainers, their watchful eyes scanning the crowd.

This group was none other than Cheng Yuan, the governor of Moling City, traveling incognito, along with his entourage. The “steward” was one of Cheng Yuan’s men, and the “scholar” was Cheng Ling, Cheng Yuan’s cherished daughter disguised as a man. The six retainers were all sword-wielding squad leaders above level forty.

Upon seeing Li Zhan, the tea stall player dropped the steward and hurried over, saying, “Mayor Li, you’ve arrived! You must stand up for my younger brother. These NPCs drank my brother’s tea and now refuse to pay!”

The steward, noticing Li Zhan’s title, glanced back at Cheng Yuan. Cheng Yuan caught the look and gave a subtle nod. The steward then stepped forward and said to Li Zhan, “You’re the mayor of Yanhuang village town, right? This player runs a tea stall near your town and arbitrarily raised tea prices, cheating customers. Who’s right or wrong, that’s for you to settle.”

Li Zhan was puzzled by the claim of arbitrarily raising prices and looked toward the player. Before he could ask, the player explained, “Mayor Li, don’t just listen to him. Charging an extra two copper coins per cup for steward’s service is clearly marked. I personally served them and asked beforehand if they wanted the steward’s service—they agreed. Yet after drinking, they refused to pay.” The player pointed to a wooden sign behind him listing the tea prices, with a note at the bottom stating, “Steward’s service: additional two copper coins per cup.”

The steward interjected sharply, “Steward’s service? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Though we’re not short of a few copper coins, we refuse to pay for such a contrived scheme!”

The player immediately rebutted, and the two parties argued vehemently, neither willing to concede.

Governor Cheng Yuan sat quietly on the bench, watching the commotion with amusement. He cared little about the extra copper coins—in taverns, tips often exceeded that amount. Though aged, his spirit remained lively. Finding the quarrel between the player and his steward entertaining, Cheng Yuan said nothing, merely observing.

Li Zhan frowned, tired of the argument. The matter was simple: the player insisted on charging for steward’s service, while the steward claimed it was a fraudulent ploy. Both sides were adamant.

Li Zhan gestured for silence. The player immediately ceased arguing, awaiting his judgment. The steward, however, still irked and confident with the governor’s backing, refused to relent and turned to Li Zhan, saying, “The facts are clear. As mayor, how can you allow such unscrupulous merchants to open tea stalls around your town, cheating travelers? Isn’t that negligence? Why don’t you punish them?”

The steward’s arrogant tone stoked Li Zhan’s temper. Who was the mayor here? The dispute was within his jurisdiction; he would settle it as he saw fit, not be lectured by this man!

Originally, Li Zhan intended to mediate—each side conceding half a copper coin per cup would settle the matter. He had no time for idle talk; over two hundred players awaited him to attack the Red-Haired Bandits. Hearing the steward’s words, Li Zhan shot him a disdainful glance, snorted, and walked straight toward Governor Cheng Yuan, ignoring the steward.

The steward opened his mouth to protest, but Cheng Yuan raised a hand to silence him, prompting him to shut up immediately. Cheng Ling stood beside her father, gripping the linen-wrapped spear tightly, watching Li Zhan approach with a cold gaze.

Li Zhan bowed before Cheng Yuan and said, “Sir, this matter is as simple as one plus one equals two. I cannot understand why your steward insists on complicating it. The player clearly marked the extra charge for steward’s service and asked beforehand if you wanted it. If steward’s service were the same as ordinary service, why ask twice? Just because you haven’t heard of it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Haven’t you heard of cannons? Believe it or not, one day I will build dozens of them for you to see.”

Before Cheng Yuan could respond, the furious steward shouted, “You insolent wretch! How dare you insult me and disrespect your lord! Guards! Seize this rabble-rouser!”

Six sword-wielding squad leaders behind Cheng Yuan stepped forward to take Li Zhan. Zhao Ming, Zhang Feng, and the other soldiers swiftly formed a protective circle around him. The hundreds of onlooking players, all affiliated with Yanhuang village town and eager for a chance to prove themselves, drew their swords, clubs, and spears, surrounding Cheng Yuan’s group. Their eyes fixed on Li Zhan, ready to rush forward at his command.

Amidst the tense standoff, Governor Cheng Yuan, as calm as if nothing were amiss, fixed his gaze on Li Zhan and said absentmindedly, “But I like him the moment I saw him. Pay the tea money.”

With a sudden thud, many players around collapsed. Such was the power of resonance.

Days later, when Li Zhan recalled his first encounter with Governor Cheng Yuan, he could not help but marvel.

The steward stood agape for a long moment until Cheng Yuan repeated his order. Reluctantly, the steward fished copper coins from his pouch and happily handed them to the player.

Li Zhan had not expected such a smooth resolution, especially not from this open-minded old man. Reflecting on his earlier bluntness, he asked Zhao Ming and Zhang Feng to step back and bowed to Cheng Yuan.

“Sir, I admit my handling of this matter was somewhat improper. With the principle that ignorance excuses no fault, a few words of dispute between your steward and the player are understandable. But I am truly impressed by your enlightened and reasonable attitude. As a token of respect, I humbly invite you and your entourage to stay in our village town for a few days—lodging on the house. What do you think?”

The steward’s anger subsided greatly at Li Zhan’s diplomatic words, and his gaze softened. Cheng Yuan then stood, smiling warmly at Li Zhan.

“Mayor Li, even if you had not invited me, I would still stay a few days to rest from the journey. As for lodging, since you are so kind, I shall not refuse. But…” He stepped forward, placing a hand on Li Zhan’s shoulder. “I am quite intrigued by your mention of cannons just now. What are these devices? When might you build one for me to see?”

Li Zhan felt awkward. Cannons were technologies of the imperial era, requiring enormous research funds. He had spoken carelessly, but this old man took it to heart and kept thinking about it.

“Uh… that’s a bit difficult. But if I build a cannon, I will notify you immediately.”

Cheng Yuan beamed, patting Li Zhan’s shoulder. “Good, it’s a deal.”

Li Zhan could only laugh and reply, “It’s a deal.”

Having settled the dispute, Li Zhan turned to see over two hundred enlisted players awaiting orders. He trusted Jin Xue had finished coordinating with the Alpha Wolf. Facing the crowd, he commanded, “Prepare yourselves. Gather in the square before the town hall. We march in ten minutes to attack the Red-Haired Bandits!”

At the mention of attacking the bandits, Cheng Yuan’s eyes lit up.