Chapter 51: Old Tang’s Hidden Worries

Lao Tang’s shifting emotions had not escaped Li Zhan’s notice. Glancing at the leather leash hanging on the opposite wall, Li Zhan realized Lao Tang was thinking of his dog that had died so tragically—perhaps a matter tied to a quest that would draw Lao Tang out of retirement. After a moment’s thought, Li Zhan said to Lao Tang, “Master Tang, if something weighs on your heart, why not share it openly with the three of us? Perhaps we could be of some small help.”

Lao Tang shot Li Zhan a look, his mind recalling those savage bandits that even the official troops dreaded. How could these three tribal chiefs before him possibly handle such a threat? He shook his head. “It’s no use. You can’t help me.”

Ruyan interjected from the side, “But how would you know we can’t help if you don’t tell us?”

Lao Tang simply shook his head, refusing to say more no matter how Li Zhan and Ruyan tried to coax him. At last, Crooked Radish, unable to bear it any longer, said impatiently, “Old man, if you’ve got something to say, just spit it out. Why all these twists and turns? If we can help, we help. If not, we leave. Is there any need to be so hesitant?”

Li Zhan and Ruyan quickly signaled Crooked Radish with their eyes to mind his manners. To their surprise, Lao Tang seemed to be considering something, then nodded and said, “Strictly speaking, given your current level and abilities, even if I told you my troubles, it would be futile. Still, since this chief has spoken so frankly, I may as well be direct. I want you to help me kill a bandit—just one. To avenge my Ah Huang, so it can rest in peace below the earth.”

Ding-dong—before Li Zhan, Ruyan, and Crooked Radish, a translucent system message popped up:

System notification: Dear player, you have triggered the associated quest “Lao Tang’s Trouble” ahead of schedule. (Normally, this quest requires level 20 to trigger; currently, all three of you are level 10.) You may accept or decline the quest. Since you haven’t met the required level, if you decline, you may take the quest again once you reach the appropriate level, but cannot trigger it again in the meantime. The quest must be completed within five days—[System countdown: 10].

The three of them stared in astonishment at the system message. So Lao Tang would only give this quest to players who reached level 20, and then join the player who completed it. It made sense: by level 20, leatherworking in Jiangnan would have advanced, and Lao Tang’s leather armor would be timely, not ahead of the market. But that would run counter to Li Zhan’s hopes—if the streets were flooded with leather armor, who would buy his? He wanted to seize this early opportunity, when most players relied on basic leather leggings and bracers, to produce and sell leather armor like clothing, opening up his own market.

The three of them exchanged glances as the clock ticked down. Ruyan, being a member of the Yanhuang Tribe, naturally looked to Li Zhan for a decision. Crooked Radish had no particular interest in leather armor and was only here for the excitement, so he, too, watched Li Zhan. Weighing his options, Li Zhan made up his mind and, just as the timer hit one, pressed “Accept.”

As the system message faded, Lao Tang fell to his knees before Li Zhan, saying in a ritual tone, “Thank you, honored guest, for your righteous aid. If you can fulfill this old man’s wish, I will devote the rest of my days to repaying your great kindness.”

So saying, he bowed deeply, as if Li Zhan were already a level 20 player capable of completing the quest with ease.

The three hurried to help Lao Tang up and led him back to his seat. They tried to talk more about leatherworking, but Lao Tang, now caught up in his own worries, could only sigh and lament, unable to offer anything useful.

After saying their goodbyes, the three returned straight to Danyang County. By noon, the official road was bustling with people; Li Zhan and his companions, like the other NPCs and players, chatted as they walked, naturally discussing Lao Tang’s Trouble. They all agreed that storming the bandit camp head-on would be foolish—it would be better to lure a bandit out and attack him in the open.

Crooked Radish said, “Don’t worry, Brother Li. The bandits may be tough, but they’re just NPCs with limited brains. All we have to do is draw one out and surround him—killing a single bandit should be a piece of cake. Whenever you’re ready to tackle this quest, just call me—I’ll give it my all.”

Li Zhan nodded, “Frankly, this quest would be too tough for the Yanhuang Tribe alone. With your help, I feel much more confident.”

…

Back at the market, Li Zhan made a point to check on Zhang Chong, who was busy selling sashimi. Zhang Chong was delighted that his chief had come to see him, and called out his wares even more enthusiastically after Li Zhan and the others left.

Li Zhan retrieved his stored goods from the vendor, paid, and hired two carters to take the cargo directly to the shipyard. Before heading there, he stopped by the joint workshop, where Feng Gang was learning to make leather bracers with the tanner. Though a few defective pieces had resulted, the workshop—managed by Zheng Jun’s master—gave Feng Gang extra care due to Zheng Jun’s relationship, so he was not reprimanded and continued his apprenticeship without issue. Zheng Jun had completed seven iron swords, one of which was a high-grade sword, and his forging skill had improved considerably. Li Zhan paid for all eleven iron swords and bought three alarm bells for the watchtowers, taking the finished swords and bells with him and leaving the remainder for Zheng Jun to bring back later with Zhang Chong and Feng Gang.

At the shipyard, Li Zhan hired a cargo boat, loaded his goods, and told Crooked Radish to come to the Yanhuang Tribe early the next morning to collect the cotton farmers and cottonseed along with the chiefs of the four subordinate tribes. Crooked Radish agreed eagerly and waved goodbye to Li Zhan and Ruyan.

Back at the tribe, Zheng Jun and two builders were finishing the last of the watchtowers by the shipyard; the tower was up, only the lookout room at the top remained. Seeing Li Zhan and Ruyan arrive, Zheng Jun called over a dozen villagers to unload the goods, then took Li Zhan to see the six outstanding villagers he had selected. Li Zhan was pleased with their talents and immediately promoted them, raising the tribe’s militia to eleven, all under Squad Leader Zhao Ming’s command.

By this time, the cleric and mounted archer uniforms had been completed. The cleric, uncharacteristically awake during the day, strutted around in the scarlet robe designed by Ruyan, showing it off to every villager and demanding to know if it was pretty and bright; if anyone hesitated, he pestered them like an excited child. Zhang Feng, too, wore his new mounted archer uniform, tailored with ties at the cuffs and pant legs for a smart, practical look. He was thrilled and joked with the three hunters as they made arrows together.

Evening came quickly. Wang Hui, Zhang Chong, and Feng Gang returned from Danyang County with four regular iron swords and eleven basic leather bracers. The bracers, crafted by Feng Gang from fine cowhide, yielded eleven usable pieces after discarding three defective ones; Li Zhan distributed them to the militia. The eleven iron swords were allocated as well—the high-grade blade, of course, went to the eager Zhao Ming, while his old inferior sword was given to Zheng Jun to return to the workshop for reforging.

After a day’s work, the inventory stood at forty-two sets of villager clothing and twelve sets of militia uniforms. A shortage of cotton had slowed thread spinning, which in turn delayed cloth and clothing production. Li Zhan checked the thread reserves—only thirty-five bundles remained—so he decided to post on the forums again in hopes of finding cheap, nearby cotton to solve the immediate crisis.

Having given Ruyan some instructions, Li Zhan logged off to visit the forums.

Night deepened, insects chirped loudly, and the three new watchtowers rose into the darkness. Two militiamen, assigned by Squad Leader Zhao Ming, stood watch on each tower. But under the cover of night, their vision was limited; two shadowy figures slipped from the forest, drawing near to the Yanhuang Tribe, and the sentries on the towers failed to notice.

—

Notes:

1. High-grade Iron Sword:
Attack: 10
Accuracy: +1
Durability: 18
Bonus: Slower durability loss
Weight: 7
Requirement: Level 9

2. Watchtower: Some have commented that building times are too short and that late-game “tower spamming” would be overpowered. No need to worry—“Empire Rising” restricts buildings by area, much like Red Alert; once you’re outside your “home” zone, you can’t build, except for walls and trenches.

3. Basic Leather Bracer:
Defense: +1
Durability: 5
Bonus: None
Weight: 1
Requirement: Level 3