Chapter 21: Tall Trees Catch the Wind

The young woman was still clad in white, standing gracefully in the middle of the road. From the very start, her gaze was fixed on Wei Ba, utterly indifferent to Wei Feng’s mockery and ridicule. Wei Feng, somewhat embarrassed and angry, intended to fire off another sharp retort, but Wei Ba restrained him.

Wei Ba walked forward slowly and saluted her. “Miss Ma, I hope you have been well.”

Her willow brows quivered lightly as she regarded Wei Ba in silence for a moment before suddenly speaking. “I am still as I always was, but you, sir, are quite changed.”

Wei Ba blinked innocently, meeting the complexity in her eyes. “Why do you say so, Miss?”

Her gaze flickered briefly, then she stared back at him, almost as if in defiance, though the blush on her cheeks betrayed her. She clasped her hands behind her back and straightened her posture deliberately, unaware that she was playing right into Wei Ba’s hands. He looked calmly and openly at her budding beauty and sighed inwardly: “I wonder which lucky fool will one day win this thorny cabbage.”

Sensing the indecency in his gaze, her blush deepened, and her hands twisted nervously behind her back, too embarrassed to let go. She coughed and forced a smile. “I thought you’d given up the martial path for literature, immersing yourself in books and scholarship. Yet you turn out to be a man of many talents. Now, every farmer in Mianyang uses the iron spade you invented. Whenever people mention Young Lord Wei of the Wei family, they sing your praises—even the Prime Minister knows your name. Soon, you’ll be renowned throughout the land.”

Wei Ba grinned; he knew well that, despite her apparent praise, she was actually mocking him. To become famous merely for making an iron spade? That sort of fame was hardly worth much. Besides, in these times, the renowned gentlemen were celebrated for their learning, not for crafting objects. At best, he would be known as a famous craftsman, not a scholar.

Still, Wei Ba did not intend to retreat. He smiled slightly. “Miss, you flatter me. If I can use some small skill to aid current affairs, I am content. To earn your praise is satisfaction enough. As for being famous throughout the realm, I dare not hope for it. Fame is but an empty name, of no real benefit to anyone nor any use to the country—it does not concern me.”

The girl was momentarily taken aback, the corners of her mouth twitching as if she wanted to smile but couldn’t quite manage it. She smacked her lips, unsure how to continue. Her earlier words had, of course, been meant to belittle Wei Ba for abandoning his studies to become a craftsman. But whether he failed to notice, believing her praise sincere, or simply didn’t care, it was hard to tell. If the latter, the man was truly shameless—and proud of it.

“I didn’t expect you to have such lofty ideals. Truly admirable.” She pursed her lips, regretting her actions. She had so much to do—why argue with someone so lacking in ambition? It was a waste of time. With a faint snort, she turned to leave. “But these are not matters a true gentleman should concern himself with. Even if you care little for fame, for the sake of the General’s reputation, you ought to devote more time to serious matters. If you cannot succeed in your studies, at least help with military affairs.”

With that, she pressed her hands to the horse’s back and vaulted onto it as lightly as a swallow returning to the woods, landing effortlessly atop the steed. Wei Ba was astonished—her horse lacked stirrups, and it was a tall Xiliang warhorse. Yet she leapt up so easily; did she know martial arts?

She flicked the reins and prepared to depart, but suddenly Wei Ba came to his senses. He stepped forward and grabbed the reins. The warhorse shook its neck, and his grip slipped down the leather, landing right on her delicate hand. Her skin was smooth and soft, warm as jade—he secretly enjoyed the sensation, but the girl was furious. With a quick flick of her arm, Wei Ba was jolted away as if struck by lightning, his fingers tingling painfully.

Her brows arched sharply, her almond eyes wide. She clenched her whip and shouted, “Keep your distance, sir!”

Wei Ba forced a bitter smile. “Miss, it was an accident, not intentional. There’s no need for such anger. Too much anger brings wrinkles—aging before your time would be a shame.”

Her nostrils flared in outrage, her breath coming faster. “Who would have thought the son of the Northern General would be so wanton? Stand aside, I’m leaving. Watch out, or my horse might break your worthless bones.”

Wei Ba spread his arms, blocking her path. “Miss, calm your thunderous rage. I have something to say.”

“What could you possibly have to say?” she replied disdainfully, lifting her whip but not striking, her eyes fixed on Wei Ba. His serious expression suggested he truly had something important to say. Though she knew she should spur her horse and leave, she couldn’t help but want to hear what this young man had to say.

“Just now, you claimed the iron spade is trivial—not something a gentleman should care about. I disagree. To say such things to me is one thing, a mere exchange of ideas. But in front of others, I beg you to be cautious. Surely you know the precarious position of the Ma family. If your words fall into the wrong ears, it could spell trouble.”

She was unsettled by his words. Indeed, the Ma family’s situation was not favorable. If anything she said was overheard and misinterpreted, it could harm her family. But had she said anything wrong? The iron spade was a concern for craftsmen, not gentlemen—what was the problem?

She hesitated for a moment, then saluted. “May I ask your advice?”

“The Prime Minister is preparing to campaign north to restore the Han. At such a time, farming and warfare are national priorities. The iron spade, though small, affects food production. You are from a military family—you must know that before the troops march, provisions must be ready. Such a matter, do you not think it worthy of attention? If the Prime Minister hears of your views, might he not suspect you take the northern campaign lightly?”

She was stunned, then quickly recovered, both annoyed and amused. “I didn’t expect you to have not only clever hands but a sharp tongue. You can even connect a mere iron spade to the Prime Minister’s great campaign. My words are clumsy—I cannot outtalk you. But the Prime Minister has many learned men and talented youths at his side in Hanzhong. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to show off your eloquence then. Farewell!”

With a flick of her reins, the warhorse reared, its hooves kicking at the air. Wei Ba jumped instinctively to the roadside, nearly falling in his haste, looking quite disheveled. The girl laughed aloud, galloping away, her laughter like silver bells echoing into the dusk.

“Outrageous!” Wei Feng fumed, about to send someone to give chase, but Wei Ba stopped him with a bitter smile. “Let it go. Girls can be a bit temperamental—no need to take it seriously. Besides, she came to warn me out of goodwill.”

“Goodwill?” Wei Feng stared at Wei Ba in confusion. “Brother Ba, do you like that Qiang girl? Why defend her? She’s been mocking and teasing you from start to finish—what goodwill?”

“Oh, can’t you hear it? The Prime Minister’s scholars and young talents are coming for me. She came ahead of time to tip me off, so I can prepare and not be caught off guard.”

“Is that so?” Wei Feng scratched his head, still bewildered. “Why would those people want to trouble you?”

“I’m not sure—maybe I’m too well-known, attracting trouble.” Wei Ba sighed, inwardly uneasy. He hadn’t been idle these days, spending his time in the prefect’s office at Nanzheng, reading official documents and gaining some familiarity with literary language. Yet the prospect of competing with others made him anxious. He suspected these troubles stemmed from the girl’s provocation, but he couldn’t truly resent her. Instead, he felt a kind of pity for a young woman trying to shoulder her family’s burdens, yet struggling under their weight. In this pity, there was a hint of kinship, for he too was preparing to speak to his father, Wei Yan, and change the course of his family’s destiny.

“Come, let’s go see Father. I have more important matters to discuss with him.” Wei Ba led Wei Feng and Wei Wu toward Wei Yan’s camp.

From the shadowy trees in the distance, the girl sat astride her horse, watching the Wei brothers laugh and walk away, arms around each other. She felt a twinge of loneliness. Thinking of the challenges Wei Ba would soon face, she felt a pang of guilt. She lingered in silence before sighing deeply, turning her horse and riding off. The sound of the hooves echoed her weary mood. With no one around, her posture relaxed, her back bent slightly as if bowed by the weight of the world.

Inside Wei Yan’s tent, four giant tallow candles burned brightly, illuminating every corner. Wei Yan stood with his hands behind his back, deep in thought before a map of Hanzhong, murmuring to himself and occasionally gesturing.

“Father, I’ve brought Brother Ba back,” Wei Feng announced, stepping forward to salute. Wei Yan paused, his body unmoving, but turned his head to appraise Wei Ba, nodding in satisfaction. “Your frame has grown sturdier—good, very good.”

Wei Ba and Wei Feng hurried forward to pay their respects. Wei Yan laughed heartily and waved them off. “Go eat, I have matters to attend to. When I’m done, I’ll speak with you.”

Wei Feng and Wei Wu responded and turned to leave, but Wei Ba stayed put. After a moment’s thought, he gathered his courage and stepped forward. “Father, are you preparing to advise the Prime Minister?”

Wei Yan was taken aback, turning abruptly. His long, phoenix-like eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Wei Ba, then smiled. “Not bad—you have some insight. Tell me, how did you know?”

Wei Ba replied, “Father called me urgently from Nanzheng for the accounting matters, but now that I’m here, you have even more important things to do—so important you haven’t even had time to give me instructions. I’ve thought it over, and only this matter could be so pressing.”

A smile appeared at the corner of Wei Yan’s eyes as he glanced at the still bewildered Wei Feng and Wei Wu at the tent door, his lips curling upward. “It seems your days in Nanzheng were well spent. Come, sit. Let’s eat and talk. I want to hear what new insights you’ve gained.”