73 Provocation

Several envoys from Tiger-Leopard Village had requested an audience, so Little White told the players to let them into the village. He and Li the Third were waiting in the administrative courtyard, ready to receive the visitors.

There were three players in all, including Shen Biao, one of Black Tiger’s most trusted men. Shen Biao led the other two toward the administrative courtyard, and as they passed through Little White Village, he kept looking this way and that, finding fault with everything he saw.

“So this is Little White Village, the so-called number one village under heaven? Nothing special at all. The thatched cottages are just as shabby as in any other village, the market is a chaotic racket like a vegetable bazaar, and I don’t see anything remarkable here. Such a big village, and not even a proper stone road.” In Shen Biao’s face there was an unconcealed air of disdain. “Our Tiger-Leopard Village is much better than this. We’ve even paved stone roads outside the village.”

“Exactly, exactly.”

The two accompanying players hurried to agree, though inwardly they did not take Shen Biao’s words seriously. Tiger-Leopard Village had stone roads only because it stood beside a small stone hill, with rocks scattered everywhere. Otherwise, who would bother with such impractical things? If anything, their village was clearly far less prosperous than Little White Village.

When Shen Biao and the others arrived at the courtyard and met Little White, Shen Biao gave a casual clasp of the hands, taking it as a greeting. “I am Shen Biao of Tiger-Leopard Village. Greetings, Village Chief Little White.”

Little White came down the steps to meet him and smiled. “Ah, so it is Elder Shen Biao. A rare guest indeed. What matter has brought you here in person?”

“Nothing much,” Shen Biao said breezily. “My boss asked me to come and tell you that our village plans to terminate the ‘Iron Ore for Blood Medicine Agreement’ we signed with your village one month ago.”

Little White’s expression changed slightly.

The agreement Shen Biao mentioned was a trade accord signed in January between Little White Village and Tiger-Leopard Village, exchanging Little White Village’s plus-five blood medicine for Tiger-Leopard Village’s iron ore. At the time, Little White Village held overwhelming leverage, while Tiger-Leopard Village was desperately in need of healing medicine. As a result, Tiger-Leopard Village had made major concessions and handed over its iron ore at a very low price. The agreement was set to run for three months, yet after only one month Black Tiger could no longer wait and was already moving to end it. Had they now gained enough bargaining power to stand against Little White Village?

Little White gathered his thoughts and smiled again. “I see. Although the agreement we signed was nonbinding and neither side had any formal obligations, for your village to tear it up so casually will do serious damage to your commercial reputation. Would you not consider this a little longer?”

Shen Biao waved a hand carelessly. “That’s useless to tell me. It was my boss’s decision. I’m only here to inform you. If you need iron ore, then trouble the village chief to make the trip to Tiger-Leopard Village himself.”

“So your village no longer needs our blood medicine. That means you can make it yourselves?”

“No!”

“Then why—?”

“We at Tiger-Leopard Village are not the same as before. We can now produce—”

Shen Biao was about to boast at length when one of the Tiger-Leopard Village players beside him hastily grabbed his arm and lowered his voice. “Brother Biao, no, this is a village secret. The boss told us not to leak it to outsiders.”

“Bah, secret my foot. Our weapons are going on sale in the market soon anyway. Who wouldn’t know then that Tiger-Leopard Village can forge high-grade arms?” Shen Biao shook off the player’s hand in disdain. Ever since his last visit to Little White Village, he had been holding a bellyful of resentment. Now that he finally had a chance to show off, how could he possibly let it slip by?

He turned to Little White with a hard, overbearing look. “I’ll tell you the truth. Don’t think only Little White Village can produce specialty goods. Tiger-Leopard Village can sell fine wares now too. Those old agreements where we took the loss are all void. We must sign new ones. We will no longer supply you with cheap iron ore. Instead, we will trade our expensive weapons directly for your medicines. The agreement must be signed in Tiger-Leopard Village! My word stands for my boss. You know what to do.”

The two Tiger-Leopard Village players were so frantic they nearly stamped their feet, yet there was nothing they could do about Shen Biao. He was an elder of Tiger-Leopard Village, and aside from the village chief Black Tiger, no one could really restrain him. One of the players hurriedly explained to Little White, “Village Chief Little White, we’re actually here to discuss revising the agreement. Village Chief Black Tiger said that from now on our village will use only forged, high-quality weapons to exchange for your medicines. Of course, the price of the weapons won’t be low. We should be trading at a fair value, each side giving and taking in proper measure.”

Little White looked at them and flatly refused. “No. Go back and tell Black Tiger that the exchange must be raw iron ore for medicine. Otherwise, my village will stop supplying your village with medicines!”

The two players were clearly stunned. Little White’s firmness was beyond their expectations, and they could not make sense of it. Weapons for medicine was perfectly reasonable, after all.

Shen Biao flew into a rage. “Won’t trade? Fine! Then let’s part ways. Tiger-Leopard Village has the capital to drag this out with you. Let’s see who folds first. And listen here: the weapons from my village are very expensive. When you can no longer hold out, remember to come to Tiger-Leopard Village early! Just send word, and I, your humble servant, will personally come out to receive you. Let’s go!”

With that, Shen Biao shouted at Little White in a loud voice, then led the two Tiger-Leopard Village players away.

The two players were so angry they could not even speak. They had been sent by Black Tiger to discuss a new trade agreement, but Shen Biao’s meddling had ruined everything and offended Little White Village in one stroke. How were they supposed to answer to Black Tiger now?

After Shen Biao and the others had left, Little White’s face darkened like water. “Li the Third, go and call the four elders here!”

Li the Third knew the matter was serious and hurried off to fetch Sword Overlord, Autumn Water, Spring-Autumn Hero, and Fei.

More than half an hour later, these core members gathered together to discuss the sudden turn of events.

Little White briefly recounted what had happened.

Autumn Water frowned slightly, but before he could speak, Fei beside him sprang up in excitement and cried, “Afraid of him? If he wants war, I, Fei, will be with him to the end. That Shen Biao has been getting on my nerves for a long time!”

Spring-Autumn Hero gave a cold laugh. “Black Tiger says he will no longer supply Little White Village directly with iron ore, and instead trade weapons? Hmph. After more than a month of iron ore and medicine trade, Black Tiger has decided he’s suffered a great loss, and he can no longer sit still. But I still don’t think it’s enough. We ought to give him a hard lesson and let him know who really has the strongest fist in Xiliang and Longyou, or else he will never yield. Brother, what do you think?”