Chapter Twenty-One: The Martial Arts Tournament, Defeat

Their apparent willingness to submit was merely a facade to avoid offending him. It was even possible that Zhao Hu himself was playing a double game, intending to extract benefits from him.

He turned and instructed Fang Yuan: "Continue to win over the soldiers from Xiyun County, but maintain secret surveillance. Do not let the wolf into the fold."

Fang Yuan cupped his hands in salute: "Understood, my lord!"

In the system Fang Han had established, agricultural labor yielded the greatest merit. Now that the farming season had concluded, all the laborers had accumulated significant credits. However, because they had yet to exchange these credits for anything, the progress of land reclamation had gradually slowed. Fang Han was not particularly concerned; after all, even if they reclaimed the land, there was no way to plant crops yet.

But as the days passed, murmurs began to surface among the crowd. They suspected Fang Han was deceiving them. The promised distribution of land and housing had yet to materialize.

Liu San reported these sentiments to Fang Han: "My lord, the laborers are complaining. They say... they say that you are swindling them."

Hearing this, Fang Han immediately suspected that the people from Xiyun County were behind it. "Is someone deliberately spreading rumors?"

"It is hard to say for sure. According to Fang Yuan, it seems to have originated among the soldiers."

"When they were on the verge of starvation, did they ever dare to dream of having today? I spend my own wealth daily to purchase grain from elsewhere, not even asking them to risk their lives for me, yet they are the ones complaining?" Fang Han said coldly. "Enough. Send word that the Prefectural Office will hold a grand assembly soon to reward meritorious service. Also, organize a martial arts competition; anyone interested in joining the army may participate."

Liu San went off to make arrangements. Fang Han entered Lin Qingwei’s room.

Laborers reclaiming land was not a long-term solution. The two thousand laborers from Xiyun County, combined with the nearly one thousand original laborers, consumed a massive amount of grain every day. Fortunately, with the current military force, the supply teams rarely encountered bandits. But this could not continue indefinitely; otherwise, he would be forced to sell Lin Qingwei’s jewelry. Fang Han was unwilling to do that, so he wanted to take this opportunity to convert laborers into soldiers.

Lin Qingwei was watering her medicinal herbs and felt a surge of joy upon seeing Fang Han. He had been too busy lately to visit her. Had it not been for Hongye reporting to her daily, she would have thought he had forgotten her.

"Are you not busy today?" Lin Qingwei asked.

Fang Han smiled: "I suppose so. The farming work has come to an end, but new issues have arisen." He explained the situation with the crowd and his plan to hold an assembly to boost his influence, asking if she had any good ideas.

Lin Qingwei frowned after hearing him out: "These people have no backbone; they believe whatever they are told."

Fang Han sighed: "It cannot be helped. The common folk have never studied the classics, so they do not understand complex principles. Whoever provides a meal is their parent and official. Whoever keeps them hungry is who they will revolt against."

Hongye, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. Lately, she and the other maids had been receiving instruction from Liu San and had gained some literacy. "My lord, why not hold both literary and martial assemblies? Many among the commoners wish to learn, especially those with children. You could allow them to exchange their merit for the opportunity to study," Hongye suggested.

Fang Han had considered this. For the Southern Frontier to develop, civilian officials and military generals would be essential. However, training scholars was too difficult. Currently, everyone who could read the classics was already being put to use; he could not spare the energy for such an endeavor yet.

Lin Qingwei said: "I think it is feasible. I heard that at the start of the chaos in the Southern Frontier, many scholars fled into the mountains to live in seclusion. If you can find these hermits, appointing them as officials or having them open schools would be an excellent choice."

"Hermits?" Fang Han pondered. If he could find them, he could indeed cultivate a class of intellectuals. This suggestion was temporarily adopted, and they proceeded to discuss the details of the martial arts competition.

Fang Han ordered the news to be spread: the martial arts tournament would be held in three days. To demonstrate the majesty of the Protectorate, he specifically ordered Fang Da to organize the elite troops into an honor guard for the opening ceremony.

Three days later, the tournament began as scheduled. The drill ground was packed with people, bustling with activity. Most of the laborers were there to verify their accumulated merit, as Fang Han had promised to register and clear everyone's credits that day, converting them into land and housing.

From the city gate, Fang Han sat in the seat of honor, overlooking the bustling crowd below. In the distance, dust rose as Zhao Hu arrived with his soldiers from Xiyun County. He dismounted and shouted: "Zhao Hu of Xiyun County, here with my men to participate in the martial arts tournament!"

Fang Han nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers behind Zhao Hu with a look of disdain. "Commander Zhao, please stand aside and observe the soldiers of my Prefecture."

Fang Da led one hundred elite soldiers forward, chanting in unison, creating a grand display. Watching the ranks of soldiers below, a sense of pride swelled within Fang Han.

The competition began, and Fang Da, as the representative of the Protectorate, was the first to step onto the ring. Zhao Hu’s eyes flashed with a sharp light upon seeing this; it was a perfect opportunity to gauge the strength of the Prefecture’s troops. He walked to the edge of the ring, cupped his hands, and said: "Zhao Hu of Xiyun County, please provide instruction!"

With that, he vaulted onto the stage. The two stood opposite each other, and Fang Da said in a low voice: "Please!"

Zhao Hu did not waste words, brandishing his long saber and striking at Fang Da. Blades flashed, and the two traded blows, each move dangerous. Fang Da held the advantage in strength, but he deliberately held back, feigning weakness. After a few rounds, he suddenly stumbled, allowing Zhao Hu to seize the opportunity and kick him off the stage.

"Good!" The soldiers from Xiyun County cheered, casting disdainful looks at the Prefecture's soldiers.

Sitting high above, Fang Han sneered inwardly. This was all part of his plan to lull Xiyun County into a false sense of security. He stood up abruptly and roared at Fang Da: "What are you doing?"

Fang Da fell to his knees with a thud, nervously stammering: "My lord, it was just an accident, please give me another chance."

Fang Han’s face turned ashen as he glared at Zhao Hu, saying with displeasure: "Commander Zhao, please, another round."

Zhao Hu laughed heartily: "Protector, he has already lost. If you want to continue, please send someone else."

Hearing this, Fang Da stood up abruptly, shouting angrily: "I was just careless, let's go again!" He charged at Zhao Hu, who sneered, dodged the attack, and kicked him to the ground. "Commander Fang, you have lost."

Fang Da’s performance drew roaring laughter and jeers from the Xiyun County soldiers.

Fang Han shouted angrily: "Get down, you are an embarrassment! Fang Yuan, you go."

Fang Yuan, who had been impatient, sprang into action and walked onto the ring. "Fang Yuan, please provide instruction."

The two fought for dozens of rounds until Fang Yuan stumbled and was sent flying by a kick from Zhao Hu. He coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Hmph, trash. Who is next?"