Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 367: Chapter 367: Refusal

Kuang Shengyuan greeted Shen Hao warmly when he entered, personally handing him a cup of tea.

"Thank you, Lord," Shen Hao received the tea from Kuang Shengyuan with both hands, standing properly, and only sat down after being invited. Since he was being treated with respect, he couldn’t afford to forget his manners. Especially in a place like the Xuanqing Guard, rules mattered a lot.

"Sit and let’s talk. You just ran into Zhao Xun and the others, didn’t you?"

"Yes, I just met Hundred Households Zhao and the other three at the door."

Kuang Shengyuan used this to start the conversation, smiling as he said, "That’s already the third time in half a month those four have come together to see me. And every time, it’s got something to do with your Black Banner Battalion."

"Oh? May I ask what business involves the Black Banner Battalion? I’d appreciate your enlightenment, Lord." Shen Hao put down his teacup, asking curiously. He couldn’t imagine what recent matters could have brought the Black Banner Battalion and those Hundred Households together.

"Haven’t you been organizing that so-called ’martial arts competition’ lately? Those four got jealous watching, want to hold one themselves, but don’t want to be accused of copying or to look like they’re stealing your thunder, so they’ve been lobbying me for advice.

I’m not interested. And I’m guessing Lord Jiang was involved in your ’martial arts competition,’ so I already persuaded them to drop it. But you know how stubborn people below can be, makes your head hurt. Look, they’ve come again today. Heh."

Shen Hao kept silent; he had no intention of jumping into Kuang Shengyuan’s conversation. Saying no before, but now dragging him in—something must have changed.

Sure enough, Kuang Shengyuan continued after Shen Hao didn’t pick up: "Their idea is to have you include them in this ’martial arts competition,’ too. Of course, any funds needed, they’re willing to cover themselves. The rewards as well—you can follow whatever the Black Banner Battalion previously did.

What do you think?"

Shen Hao didn’t even hesitate to reject: "Lord, I’m afraid that won’t do. We previously set the date for the fifteenth of the fourth month; today’s already the eighth. There’s no time left to make changes."

Kuang Shengyuan frowned slightly, "Aren’t we all brothers eating from the same pot? Can’t you make a bit more of an effort to adjust?"

From Kuang Shengyuan’s perspective, this so-called ’martial arts competition’ was no more than a fancier arena match. How troublesome could it be? Just add some people in, that’s all. What really mattered was all those officials Shen Hao got to attend—Jiang Cheng went without saying, and even Commander Lord Pang was coming. How could they miss out on such a rare chance? That’s why Kuang Shengyuan agreed to help persuade Shen Hao.

He just hadn’t expected Shen Hao to refuse flat out without a second thought.

"Lord, all procedures related to the ’martial arts competition’ have already been set: match items, number of participants, logistics, venue, and so forth. To add people now would mean restarting most preparations—there simply isn’t enough time. Also, the order I submitted to the Governor’s Office only mentioned ’Black Banner Battalion internal,’ I have neither the power nor the right to organize a Xuanqing Guard-wide event in Fengri City. I ask your understanding, Lord Kuang."

I went to all the trouble of putting together a results showcase, and none of you cared before. Now you hear the Lord Commander’s coming and you’re all desperate to get in on it? Dream on!

The last trace of a smile on Kuang Shengyuan’s face faded. At last he said, "Lord Shen, if you really feel there’s no way, then forget it."

Though Kuang Shengyuan felt annoyed at being refused so bluntly, he wasn’t like Wu Changhe before him and had no desire to butt heads with Shen Hao. If you don’t give me face, then next time I won’t go out of my way for you either. As for direct confrontation, Kuang Shengyuan saw no need.

Once Shen Hao left, Kuang Shengyuan followed out of the Thousand Households Station. That night, he had an appointment with the same four Hundred Households from various Garrisons, and would have to fill them in on Shen Hao’s stance once he arrived.

Truth be told, they hadn’t expected much from Shen Hao—after all, ’Shen Shaxing’s’ cold and impersonal streak was well-known in Fengri City, and besides, time was tight. It’s just, they thought if they twisted his arm, he might be able to squeeze them in.

Now they could only come up with a backup plan.

For instance: you do your Black Banner Battalion ’martial arts competition,’ and I’ll organize my own Fengri City Xuanqing Guard ’big arena match.’

To be honest, not only Kuang Shengyuan, but plenty of people felt Shen Hao’s events like ’case-solving contest’ and ’wilderness survival competition’ were little more than trying to attract attention. Many openly scoffed at the Black Banner Battalion’s ’martial arts competition.’ They believed in experience, not just pure drills, and doubted whether made-up ’scenes’ could compare to real cases.

Actual competition of strength was more reliable.

So when Kuang Shengyuan brought back Shen Hao’s refusal to join forces, the gathering immediately stopped mentioning the Black Banner Battalion’s ’competition’ and began discussing having the Thousand Households Station lead a brand-new ’big arena match.’

As for the plan? Copy Black Banner Battalion’s? No need. Otherwise people would say they were plagiarizing, which would be embarrassing. Do it all themselves, and make it larger, flashier, and more authentic than the Black Banner Battalion’s ’martial arts competition’! All the bigwigs would be invited—the superiors, the Lord Governor, and even the Lord Commander.

The next day, Shen Hao heard from Wang Yiming that the Thousand Households Station had started organizing the ’big arena match.’ Supposedly everything was moving lightning fast: orders had gone down that very day, and things like the location, prizes, and rules had all been finalized. In Wang Yiming’s words, ’it’s like they could hold it tomorrow.’

Only, because upper-level invitations were needed, the actual date for the ’big arena match’ hadn’t been set.

"Lord, here’s the stamped rules for the ’big arena match’ that I copied over, would you like to have a look?" Wang Yiming was already used to Shen Hao’s calmness, but he didn’t dare be careless and took it upon himself to gather information. In Wang Yiming’s mind, if the Thousand Households Station picked just this time to organize a ’big arena match,’ wasn’t that blatantly trying to go up against the Black Banner Battalion? It was too much, and, clearly, an imitation of the ’martial arts competition.’

It wasn’t just Wang Yiming—across the Black Banner Battalion, there were plenty of complaints about the Thousand Households Station suddenly holding a ’big arena match.’

Shen Hao took the rubbing from Wang Yiming, glanced through it briefly, then curled his lip and set it aside. "Alright, get back to what you should be doing. This has nothing to do with us. Just focus on your own tasks, don’t worry about anything else."

"But, Lord..."

"You’ve read through the so-called ’big arena match rules,’ haven’t you? Don’t you know what that thing is worth? What are you worried about? Get going."

Wang Yiming wanted to say more, but in the end didn’t dare, and could only leave awkwardly after giving a salute.

Actually, Wang Yiming wasn’t really scared—he just felt uneasy about the new and strange competitions in the ’martial arts competition.’ A lot of it sounded impressive, but in practice, it could be a mess.

But as for Shen Hao—his thought was: how could a kindergarten-level sports day have any impact on a national-level event?