Chapter 175: Ji Bozai’s Ambition
Ming Yi stared at the military tally, momentarily stunned.
Had the Grand Commander of Muxing given him the military tally?
Was he truly entrusting him with it?
Why? This wasn’t like the Grand Commander’s usual style. Even if Ji Bozai had rendered great service and could protect Muxing City, it didn’t warrant such a swift handover of his life and fortune. Wouldn’t that leave him at Ji Bozai’s mercy?
Others might not know, but Ming Yi did: Ji Bozai harbored resentment towards the Grand Commander of Muxing. His desire to avenge the Bo clan hadn’t diminished one bit. King Ping wasn’t the end, nor were the others. The Grand Commander of Muxing was his ultimate target for revenge.
She couldn’t believe that someone as perceptive as the Grand Commander would trust Ji Bozai so completely, unless…
Her eyelid twitched slightly. She looked up, about to ask him something, but Ji Bozai spoke first: “I want to employ Twenty-seven.”
Twenty-seven? Ming Yi’s attention was instantly captured. “What for?”
“He knows Chaoyang City’s army best. With me as the commander-in-chief and him as the deputy, he could be of great help.” Ji Bozai gazed at her intently. “But I can’t tame him; only you can persuade him. Once he achieves military merit, I can give him an official position in Muxing City, allowing him to live openly and honorably.”
Twenty-seven possessed considerable Yuan Power and was fiercely loyal to Ming Yi, making him the best candidate available.
Ming Yi hesitated only briefly before nodding.
Twenty-seven enjoyed confrontations. Although he might be content earning money in the soft iron mine, having an official position would undoubtedly make his future more secure.
“Besides this, I need a large number of divine weapons,” he continued. “I don’t care who you use to create these weapons. Anyone who contributes will be rewarded.”
Ming Yi raised an eyebrow. “Even women?”
“Even women,” he nodded. “I’ll allow them to learn weapon forging and to enter official service. If they truly have talent, entering the Yuan Shi Academy isn’t out of the question.”
Ming Yi’s eyes lit up completely.
She felt that Ji Bozai seemed to be undertaking something very difficult yet remarkable.
She liked this idea and was naturally eager to help.
No longer dwelling on the origin of the military tally or what was being celebrated outside, Ming Yi immersed herself in work, personally overseeing everything from recruitment to training.
Her forging academy produced divine weapons at an increasingly rapid pace, with improving quality and growing numbers. Within half a month, her courtyard could no longer accommodate so many people.
Ji Bozai allocated her a thousand mu of land and built enormous sheds where women from various regions came to study. Those who learned first taught the newcomers, creating a cascade effect that soon enabled the production of three hundred divine weapons daily.
People from Chaoyang City continued to cause trouble for Muxing. Envoys came three times in a month, but Ji Bozai employed delaying tactics. After a month of stalling, most of Muxing City’s guard equipment had been updated.
At this point, Chaoyang City finally openly broke ties with Muxing City. The envoys were withdrawn, and a letter of challenge declared war.
Among the Six Cities, the others watched from the sidelines. If Muxing City lost, they could pay less tribute and also condemn the victorious Chaoyang City, pressuring them to pay more. If Muxing City won… then Chaoyang City would decline, and they’d have one less rival.
They welcomed either outcome.
However, every city believed that Muxing City was unlikely to win.
As Ming Yi was preparing Twenty-seven’s belongings, Bai Ying suddenly entered carrying a bridal gown.
“Miss, this is the dress you ordered from Miss Zhang earlier.”
Ming Yi was taken aback, realizing she had been so busy that she hadn’t yet married Ji Bozai.
She touched the fine fabric and sighed softly.
Twenty-seven glanced at her. “It’s rare to see you moved by worldly desires, actually wanting to start a family.”
“I’m human too; of course, I have worldly desires,” Ming Yi said, putting away the bridal gown with a smile. “When we win this battle, come drink at my wedding.”
Twenty-seven hesitated, then shook his head with a frown. “I won’t go.”
“Still don’t like crowds?” Ming Yi teased. “Then your future bride will have to make do when you marry.”
“If you truly love her, you won’t let her feel shortchanged,” Twenty-seven said glumly.
Ming Yi shook her head, smiling as she packed his divine weapons and clothes, then carefully instructed him: “Be wary of Shan Er; he’s a devious one.”
“I know,” Twenty-seven glanced at her. “Take care, my lady.”
Ming Yi waved as she watched him cross the threshold and disappear into the distance.
Suddenly, someone embraced her from behind, enveloping her in warm breath.
Ming Yi didn’t turn around, just leaned back with a smile. “If we lose this battle, Chaoyang City will surely take us captive. We’ll be wishing for death but unable to die.”
Ji Bozai rested his chin on top of her head, gently caressing her arms. “We won’t lose.”
He wouldn’t have accepted this challenge if he intended to lose.
Chaoyang City’s attack on the Three Cities violated the rules of the Six Cities Assembly. Their people were already disunited, and with their commander being merely a purple Yuan Power fighter, morale was low. Even if they tried to overwhelm Muxing City with numbers, Ji Bozai still had his divine weapon vanguard.
Most of Muxing City’s soft iron wasn’t in the hands of rich merchants but under his control, significantly lowering his war costs compared to Chaoyang City. With a constant supply of divine weapons, even if Muxing City’s people had weaker Yuan Power than Chaoyang City’s, they could still match them with superior tactics.
Ming Yi sat in the flying beast carriage, watching the people of Chaoyang City flee in defeat with mixed emotions.
That was the place she had protected for seven years. She never imagined it would come to this.
“Let’s go home,” Ming Yi tugged at Ji Bozai’s hand.
This battle had lasted a month; it was finally time to sound the gong and withdraw the troops.
However, Ji Bozai didn’t return her grip.
He gazed at the rolling clouds ahead, pondered for a moment, then ordered: “Pursue.”
Ming Yi was startled. Everyone knew not to pursue a fleeing enemy too far. What was the point of chasing them into Chaoyang City’s territory?
Ji Bozai didn’t explain, merely waving the battle flag in his hand. “Land at Chaoyang Port and attack the main city.”
“Yes, sir!” The response echoed across the land.
Ming Yi’s hand, still holding his, trembled and let go.
His initial plan wasn’t just to resist Chaoyang City’s army; she should have realized. Such thorough war preparations indicated his intention to capture the city.
Her hand fell halfway, but Ji Bozai caught it.
“In this world, the strong prey on the weak. Being merciful to others is being cruel to oneself,” he said softly. “Yi’er, trust me. I can give the people of Chaoyang City a better life.”
Was it truly about giving the people a better life, or did he have greater ambitions?
Ming Yi gazed blankly at the distant silhouette of Chaoyang City, unsure whether her support for him was right or wrong.