NOVPUBLooking back, Taishi Ci had another thought. It seemed that no matter how he considered it, he couldn’t restrain Gan Ning. Whether it was the mutual independence of the land forces and navy, or Gan Ning’s official position that was no less than his own, as well as the enviable, jealousy-inducing, and hate-filled power to deploy troops at will that everyone from Guan Yu to Zang Ba desired, it appeared nobody could stop whatever Gan Ning wanted to do.
With this in mind, Taishi Ci felt helpless. He too yearned for the power to be in charge of military affairs. Haven’t you seen Gan Ning doing as he pleases at sea? Now the man has declared he will take on Yuan Shao, and there’s no problem with it at all, from a military law standpoint. He possesses the highest authority and can fight however he wishes.
"Since that’s the case, Xingba might as well give it a try," Taishi Ci said after a pause, not entirely sure himself. After all, Gan Ning held supreme power over the navy. Although Chen Xi had never explicitly stated the level of authority he had granted to Gan Ning as the navy chief, the rumors had it that even the land forces led by Guan and Zhang knew Gan Ning at least had the power to operate independently.
"I can guarantee that the military strategist definitely has a deeper intention. Therefore, after I send you off to the region, stay along the coast of Youzhou and Jizhou and wait for the opportunity!" Gan Ning said confidently. He was absolutely certain about his own judgment. After all, as a commander as strong and capable as he was and with the navy just newly established, it was only natural for Chen Xi to test him.
How should I put it, Gan Ning was bold, resolute, proud, and liked to show off. After finally training a navy he felt was ready to prove its worth, he intended to have a triumphant return and then settle the score with Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin. But then Chen Xi had matters to attend to, which made Gan Ning think harder. Look at those land forces on the shore—even Zang Ba and Sun Guan have shown off. Now, isn’t it my turn to show off?
Looking at the map, my god, it’s so dangerous, so daunting. If I succeed, it would be absolutely cool. Such a difficult and glorious mission fits my character perfectly!
Later, Gan Ning considered the overall situation and his previous suspicions, and in an instant, he had an epiphany. This mission was definitely tailored for him, allowing him to act opportunistically and simultaneously test his own ability to "capture the moment in battle" as the strategist had indicated when he sent Gan Ning away.
What did the strategist say when he left? Gan Ning remembered Chen Xi’s words, "Strike when the time is right, without hesitation. As someone with the power to make decisions alone, as well as the power to deploy independently, you must have excellent insight. You have to learn to ’capture the moment in battle’!"
The more Gan Ning thought about it, the more he believed it was a test. It was very likely that the group of bastards from the land forces were unhappy with the power he held, so those above had arranged an unspoken trial. If you pass, Gan Ning, you can keep wreaking havoc from the South Blue to the East Sea, and from the East Sea to the Yellow Sea, and we’ll have something to shut the mouths of the land forces. If you fail to seize the opportunity, then sorry, it means you’re not suitable, and Gan Ning felt this reasoning was irrefutably justified.
With great power comes great responsibility, a principle Gan Ning always believed in. As the navy chief, he remembered clear as day the words Chen Xi had told him, and he agreed completely. If you cannot seize the moment, what’s the point of having the power to deploy independently?
Thinking that his authority as chief might be revoked, Gan Ning felt a cold chill. This was about his prestige. Before, without such power, it was fine, but now, having this power and losing it due to incompetence was utterly humiliating.
All of a sudden, Taishi Ci noticed a malevolent look in Gan Ning’s eyes directed at him. Was this a sign that Gan Ning was planning to throw him overboard?
Taishi Ci forced a laugh, "Xingba, why have your eyes suddenly turned like that? Surely you’re not planning to tie me up and go to Youzhou by yourself."
"Hmph. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. You just want me to go back, don’t you?" Gan Ning said with a smug look, his face almost spelling out "I’ve already seen through your group of land forces bastards’ scheme."
"Uh, aren’t you going back?" Taishi Ci’s face twitched, surprised by the sudden change in Gan Ning.
"Henghengheng, I most certainly won’t go back!" Gan Ning said with smugness, "I am the navy chief, with the authority to deploy independently, the power to veto any unreasonable demands on the navy, and the ability to attack any potential enemy forces at any time! As for those already deemed hostile, I can intervene and attack without reporting first!"
Listening to the powers enjoyed by Gan Ning, Taishi Ci became increasingly stunned, his mouth agape at the authority to initiate combat—these powers were too great. Sure, he had heard that the navy commander Gan Ning had great power, but not to this extent!
Taishi Ci looked at Gan Ning with envy. Everyone knew Guan, Zhang, and Hua Xiong had the power to deploy independently. Everyone also knew that Zhao Yun had the power to intervene on the battlefield at any time for support or attack. The power of these four was enough to make anyone envious, but turning back, it turned out there was one who didn’t appear often whose power trumped all four combined!
However, Taishi Ci soon understood that Chen Xi might really have a deeper purpose in sending Gan Ning to escort him. Without a profound reason, sending over such a person would be inconceivable.
Soon enough, Taishi Ci and Gan Ning, a fellow of similar wit, came to the same realisation, and Taishi Ci looked at Gan Ning with a mocking expression.
"What’s so funny!" Gan Ning wasn’t stupid. Naturally, he saw the mockery in Taishi Ci’s eyes and understood the situation.
"Good luck, Xingba. I’m rooting for you!" Taishi Ci patted Gan Ning’s shoulder, "Don’t embarrass yourself. If you lose the title of chief, tsk tsk tsk!"
"Hmph, I already know how to handle this; such a small matter won’t stump me!" Gan Ning said with a cold laugh, "I plan to be in charge of the navy for a lifetime and make certain people green with envy until death!"
Taishi Ci nearly choked, looking at Gan Ning with confusion. He was indeed envious, but you shouldn’t just say it, he thought sourly as his gaze towards Gan Ning turned unfriendly.
"You looking for a fight?" Gan Ning, observing Taishi Ci’s hostile look, bared his teeth, flashing a threatening grin.
"Bring it on!" Taishi Ci gripped his Sky Piercer, staring down Gan Ning, who also picked up his Great Broadsword.
"Boom!" With a loud noise and the clanging of metal, both unleashed their full strength and then leapt back, landing on the deck of the ship with heavy steps before clashing once more with their weapons. Thus, their thirty-fifth battle since boarding the ship began.
There were no splashes of Inner Qi, no superhuman moves; the Cloud Qi of the fleet neutralized all that. What they could contest over was solely skill, and clearly, they were evenly matched, neither able to gain the upper hand over the other.
Chen Xi had no idea that his simple instruction for Gan Ning to deliver goods would ignite such profound thoughts in Gan Ning’s mind. Gan Ning flaunted an authority that didn’t even exist, shocking Taishi Ci to the core.
Chen Xi would probably have a headache if he knew about this, although he already had enough headaches as it was.
Chen Xi’s kiln for burning white porcelain had opened once again, but this time it was porcelain tiles, and since they didn’t need the same attention to color as white porcelain, they were much simpler to make. However, due to some issues with the locality of Fenggao, half of the tiles turned out red, and not exactly the same red, either. This uneven red porcelain tile presented a serious challenge to Chen Xi, who was planning to lay them.
At that time, all porcelain was a rarity, and Chen Xi’s rouge red tiles indeed made people like Jia Xu feel as though they were going blind; all of this was money. They could easily sell for a few hundred million in Silver Coins and that was no problem at all.
"You’re telling me you want to use this kind of tile for Lord Xuande’s roof?" Sunx Qian asked in disbelief as he took a hand on a red glazed tile that was a poor imitation.
"And this, I want it tiled on the exterior wall as well," said Chen Xi, handing a red porcelain tile to Sunx Qian.
"This thing is just too..." Sunx Qian murmured to himself.
"And this, lay the floor with it!" Chen Xi ordered someone to bring in two-foot by two-foot white porcelain tiles, not as numerous as the cups but somewhat easier to make.
Sunx Qian forcefully swallowed, "This is just too luxurious..."
"Get me a glass window," Chen Xi shouted towards the doorway, and soon someone came in carrying a three-foot by one-foot glass window. Unfortunately, it wasn’t clear but slightly colored, as the glassmaking at the time couldn’t achieve perfect clarity.
This time Sunx Qian was completely dumbfounded. To him, these were treasures of a strange and rare variety, yet they were to be used for windows.
"Don’t be silly, build it as I say. Remember, our goal is to never let Lord Xuande be tempted by any luxurious mansions again! Do you understand? A little Silver Coin is nothing compared to this matter," Chen Xi boasted proudly, mainly because he was used to such things in his era and didn’t find them remarkable. But for people from over two millennia ago, these items were the ultimate in luxury, completely unattainable.
"Zichuan, how much did all this cost?" Sunx Qian asked, clutching his heart, ready to hear a figure that could kill him with shock.
"Oh, if sold to others, the price would probably be around a few hundred million Silver Coins," Chen Xi said, noticing Sunx Qian’s eyes rolling back and then he laughed, "Don’t worry, Gong You, aside from labor costs, everything else was trivial. It couldn’t have been more than one thousand Strings of Coins, so rest assured."
"Huh?" Sunx Qian was startled. He was ready to faint, and then Chen Xi gave him a street market price, "Zichuan, tell me the actual cost; I can handle it, don’t worry, I’m sure I can handle it."
"Sigh, no one believes the truth; have it your way then. Whatever you think it is, that’s the price. Just make sure you build it properly. Even the toilets must be tiled!" Chen Xi said, waving his hand in resignation, then as if remembering something, warned, "And keep a close watch on the workers. Anyone who tries to skim off the top gets killed!"
(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, we welcome you to vote for it at qidian.com with recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)
