The Empress’s Gigolo

Many people present at this event felt like laughing as they were inexplicably delighted.

Not too long ago, Dayao wanted to send people to learn some skills from other nations, but were met with failure… Now, however, besides being strong in martial power and inferior in other aspects, Dayao didn’t see those previously treasured items from other nations as being so precious anymore.

In particular, the springs which were regarded as treasures by the Zhang family were definitely not that special when compared to the springs which Ren Baqian poured out like rubbish.

Although the Zhang family was only one clan in the Yun Nation, based on what Zhang Junzheng said, the Zhang family was deeply involved in all aspects of society in the Yun Nation.

Defeating the Zhang family in terms of skills was as good as defeating the Yun Nation skill-wise.

“Sir Ren, please proceed,” Zhang Junzheng addressed Ren Baqian. He had placed all his hopes on this competition, and there was no other way out.

Next, two springs, about the same size as those from the Zhang family, were selected from the pile poured out by Ren Baqian. After adjusting the ballista from the Zhang family that was about the length of an arm and two palms wide, the springs were installed.

Zoom! After the first attempt, Zhang Junzheng received a shock when the rocker arm, which was turned six times, shook after releasing the bolt. Although it also went through the wooden target, the sound of the flying bolt was louder and it penetrated deeper than that of the Zhang family.

This proved that under the same conditions, the springs from Ren Baqian were more elastic.

Zhang Junzheng started to panic as the fate of half the Zhang family was at stake; he had already brought their best technology.

He dared not think of the consequences of losing…

Other people didn’t care about what he was thinking and proceeded to test the force of the ballista springs after nine turns. The bolt went through three wooden boards and pierced the wall behind.

The result was very obvious.

“We… have lost!” Zhang Junzheng’s eyes were somewhat vacant.

Was there really someone in this world who was all-knowing? Were the things regarded by the Zhang family as treasures really just ordinary in other places?

All along, even though they weren’t well known to the outside world due to their low profile, he knew that the Zhang family made the best products. Whether they were advanced ballistae or consumer goods, the Zhang family’s stamp was printed on it. It could be said that it was impossible for a person who lived a lifetime in the Yun Nation not to touch a product made by the Zhang family.

This feeling of influence over the lifestyle of everyone was like controlling the lives of others, and the Zhang family took great pride in this.

What gave them greater pride was that everyone couldn’t do without them because the Zhang family had always produced the best products.

However, these three rounds of the competition made him realize that their most prized products looked like toys to others…

The faces of everyone in the Zhang family turned ashen.

Ren Baqian smiled and said a few words to a guard. That guard took the ballista and followed the method used by the Zhang family to insert the bolt. He turned the rocker arm 12 times while the Zhang family watched in trepidation.

It was well known that the springs from the Zhang family could only be turned nine times and that they would break beyond that.

On the other hand, the springs from the other party could be turned 12 times.

Zoom!! A whizzing sound was heard, and the arrow not only went through three wooden targets, but also blasted a hole in the wall behind the targets.

Hong Wu and others could hardly believe their eyes. Such force could propel a bolt 300 steps.

Prior to this, the crossbow battalion of Great Xia had caused a lot of blood to flow in Dayao.

Imagine if the enemy were to possess handheld ballistae such as these that could be fired from 300 steps away. Countless aboriginals would have suffered grievous injuries.

Fortunately, this thing was made by Sir Ren.

Everyone had to admit that besides his fighting prowess, nothing seemed to be able to stop Ren Baqian. Various strange and mysterious gadgets had come from his hands.

To the Zhang family, this loss made them look ghastly.

Those springs were wound 12 times.

To catch up with Ren Baqian would take an unknown number of years, maybe a few years if their luck was good. It might take more than ten years, half a lifetime, or even a whole lifetime if they were unlucky. This was because coincidences and inspirations were needed for advancements.

The advancement of torsion spring technology required improvements in all aspects. Just a breakthrough in materials or manufacturing alone would require many years.

The improvement might result in half a turn, one turn, or even two turns.

The difference of three turns in torsional force was like the difference between Heaven and Earth. Huge breakthroughs were needed in various fields to bridge the gap.

If the difference was slight, they could still have some hope.

However, the disparity was obviously too big—the other party was obviously better by a large margin.

“That’s it for the competition.” The empress didn’t see the need to say anything more and turned to walk out.

The show that they had come to watch had ended, so it was time for many of the court officials to leave.

After all, it wasn’t sword fighting, and this type of competition wasn’t very attractive to them. It definitely couldn’t compare with that ultimate fight between Tong Zhenye and Qin Chuan at the top of the brothel.

Still, it wasn’t as boring as they imagined. Tu Wan and others remembered the colorful fabrics dyed by Ren Baqian, Tong Zhenye and Qin Chuan kept thinking about the wine, and Hong Wu, Xi Wanya, Li Qianqiu, and the military personnel were fascinated by the ballista powered by the metal springs made by Ren Baqian.

Zhang Junzheng saw the crowd dispersing and tried to say something. His throat felt dry, and no words came out.

Only one thing was on his mind, Half of the Zhang family, half of the Zhang family…

“Mister Zhang, do you have anything to say now?” Ren Baqian asked kindly.

Zhang Junzheng didn’t react for a long time. His face twitched a few times before he finally said with his head bowed, “I concede defeat.”

He couldn’t refuse to concede defeat.

If he went back on his word, not only would his head roll, it would tarnish the name of the Zhang family and would implicate many people.

The extermination of Ye Ke and his clan in Qingfeng City was enough to let people know the means that Dayao used to ensure compliance.

“It’s good that you conceded defeat since conceding defeat will save me from a lot of problems.” Ren Baqian chuckled. Zhang Junzheng shuddered at the connotations within the words that Ren Baqian said about having fewer problems.

It reminded him of Ren Baqian’s cruel ways from the time when he was the Honglu Deputy.

On the surface, he appeared to be harmless, but he was actually far from harmless.

“As a matter of fact, all of you have benefited, so don’t pull a long face. Come on, give me a smile.” Ren Baqian laughed. However, Zhang Junzheng and his people were unable to muster a laugh.

“Everyone, head back first and hang around for a few days. I will make arrangements for you guys after the empress’s birthday celebration. As for the rest of the Zhang family…” Ren Baqian stopped speaking midway and gave Zhang Junzheng a fright.

“Give me a list of names. In the future, those on the list will be considered part of the Zhang family. As for those not on the list, they may be mistakenly injured when the two armies battle each other,” Ren Baqian said in a persuasive, yet threatening, way.

“Sir…” Zhang Junzheng looked distraught.

“I’m giving you the opportunity.” Ren Baqian waved his hands to interrupt Zhang Junzheng.

“If you don’t give me a list, how am I to know who belongs to the Zhang family? You are the one who chose the products and tasks for the bet. If you win, you will be recommended to the empress, but if you lose, you will still be able to settle down safely in Dayao and consult me. Don’t you think you have been given a privilege? If you still do not show your sincerity, what is the use in keeping you?” Ren Baqian asked. Without looking at Zhang Junzheng again, he yawned and sauntered out of the courtyard.

Zhang Junzheng looked at the receding figure of Ren Baqian. He also saw Zuo Leng and others following behind Ren Baqian with a few guards and felt uncertain about what to do next.