17mm Deformed Steel Bar

At the imperial court, the Minister of Justice, Feng Changqing, fell ill with a cold and recommended the Left Vice Minister of Justice, Pang Renmei, to preside over the trial in collaboration with the Grand Court of Revision, the Censorate, and the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Seeing his own father, Pang Renmei, presiding over the case, Pang Cong felt completely assured.

"Pang Cong, do you acknowledge your crimes? Today, the Jingzhao Prefecture is holding a joint trial with the three judicial offices. You would do best to confess everything truthfully," Li Lingfei said, striking the gavel heavily.

Pang Cong, believing his father would protect him, poured out everything, including many details that had not been recorded or uncovered before.

Pang Renmei’s face turned ashen; it was impossible to shield him now. The crimes his son had committed were so heinous that he deserved to be cut into a thousand pieces; losing his head ten times over would not be enough.

With a grim face, Pang Renmei walked up to Pang Cong and gave him a wink. He asked, "Pang Cong, is everything you just said true? Did anyone force a confession out of you through torture or threaten you?"

Pang Cong looked blank for a moment, then, thinking he understood the ruse, replied with earnest sincerity, "Everything I said is true, without a single word of falsehood. No one tortured me for a confession, nor did anyone threaten me."

The onlookers were stunned; those who had intended to offer some leniency found themselves unable to do so.

The verdict was announced in court: "Immediately dispatch troops to eliminate the bandits of Fulong Ridge. Meiniang is the primary culprit and deserves to die. Order the Grand Court of Revision to apprehend those who traded with her. Pang Cong’s crimes are egregious; he is to be beheaded in three days."

Pang Cong was dumbfounded. Wasn't it agreed that he would be given poisoned wine? How did it turn into a beheading?

Pang Renmei rushed toward the Prince Qin’s mansion.

...

Li Lingli was massaging Jing Chen’s shoulders and said, "Your Highness, the mansion’s business is growing larger by the day. You are the pillar of our family, and everyone relies on you. You must protect yourself when you are out. After all expenses, the Yanyu Pavilion earns at least five thousand taels a day, the Deyi Pavilion no less than five hundred, the breakfast shop no less than two hundred, and the Beauty Studio no less than one hundred. I have already sent Wang Chao and Zhao Feiyan to look after the Happy Burger and Prince Cakes..."

Zhao Hu added, "Your Highness, although you do not know martial arts, I believe you should carry a weapon for self-defense. Having one is better than not; even if it’s just to intimidate others."

Li Lingli nodded in agreement. Jing Chen thought this was wise, wondering what the current state of iron casting technology was like. He instructed Zhao Hu to fetch Zhang Meng and Long Yi, preparing to head to the blacksmith shop.

Li Lingli hurriedly straightened Jing Chen’s collar. Jing Chen looked at her affectionately, his eyes burning with intensity. Li Lingli’s eyes mirrored his—she understood. Blushing, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him—her first time taking the initiative.

Jing Chen pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her back fiercely, their tongues entwined in a desperate, lingering passion. His hands began to explore and caress. Li Lingli felt a surge of heat, her body growing limp until she could barely stand, the space between her legs damp with desire.

Only after a long while did they reluctantly pull apart.

"Xiao Wei, draw some water for me. I need to bathe..." Li Lingli instructed. Xiao Wei was puzzled—why was her mistress bathing in the middle of the day?—but she went to prepare it, filled with confusion.

Jing Chen, accompanied by Long Yi, Zhang Meng, and Zhao Hu, strolled through the West City. Suddenly, he heard the rhythmic "clanging" of a hammer from not far away. He led the group toward the blacksmith shop.

To build his own army, weapons were crucial. He did not yet know how advanced the iron-casting technology of the Great Yin Empire was. In this age of cold weapons, casting quality could determine the outcome of a battle. The imperial court prohibited the private forging of swords and blades without official authorization, though daggers and fruit knives were permitted if they were under one foot (twenty-three centimeters) in length.

He had already thought of something useful: rebar. He needed to build a special forces unit with military discipline that wouldn't lose to a modern one. For now, he needed to assess the current iron-casting standards and the hardness of their weapons.

Inside the shop, several shirtless blacksmiths with knotted muscles were forging farm tools. If they were in the modern era, they would surely be heartthrobs for many young girls. Beside the bellows, a one-eyed man was pumping air.

"Commander... Commander Zhang?" Long Yi gasped.

The one-eyed man flinched, looked at the group, and said, "Sir, you must have mistaken me for someone else. I am no Commander Zhang."

Jing Chen glanced at Long Yi, who gave him a signal. Jing Chen followed Long Yi to the back courtyard of the shop.

"Your Highness, his name is Zhang Fei. He was one of the Crown Prince’s Five Tiger Generals. We were sent to find General Zhang Shan, but I don't know what happened—he lost an eye," Long Yi said sadly.

"It is too crowded here. Long Yi, after we leave, return quietly. You must convince them; we cannot let their hearts grow cold. I will eventually clear the Crown Prince’s name and vindicate the Longxiang Army. If they follow me, I will promote them. If they truly refuse, I will respect their choice and leave them enough silver to live the rest of their lives without worry," Jing Chen said.

Jing Chen walked back to the front, described the shape and weight of the rebar he wanted, and urged them to forge it as quickly as possible. He asked for one to be made first, and if it was satisfactory, he would order five hundred more.

The shop owner was overjoyed at the large order, promising to work through the night so they could pick it up tomorrow.

Jing Chen glanced at Long Yi and left two hundred taels in silver notes. Long Yi nodded in understanding. Jing Chen then left with Zhang Meng and Zhao Hu.

Pang Renmei arrived at Prince Qin’s mansion and hurriedly told Jing Wei about the trial of Pang Cong. Jing Wei had already consulted with Dongfang Ying on a rescue plan. With confidence, he explained the scheme to Pang Renmei: as long as he visited the prison in his capacity as a father, he could get Pang Cong to swallow a fake-death poison.

Pang Cong’s heartbeat would slow to a near-stop, making him appear dead for a couple of hours. Afterward, someone would transport his "corpse" out of the city. As for where the Grand Preceptor’s mansion would take him, that was no longer their concern. He would never be able to return to the capital, forced to live under an assumed name in a far-off land.

Pang Renmei took the poison and rushed back to his residence.