Chapter 015: Good Tea

With that thunderous sound, a figure appeared in the inn’s hall. It was a man of average height, but his waist was astonishingly large, making him look like a human barrel.
He wore an dark green military uniform of the imperial army, a curved knight’s sword at his waist, and a hat with a feather on top. His face was covered in a beard, atop which stood prominent rosacea that twitched from time to time.
But Du Fan’s gaze fell on his epaulets, and his eyelids twitched—this barrel-like man was actually a major. It seemed this would be interesting.
The major, looking furious, glared at Carol, his rosacea twitching incessantly. After a moment, he snapped, “Carol, you bastard! Speak to me!”
Yet Carol acted as if he weren’t there. He glared at the cavalryman from the Northern Legion behind the major and shouted, “Didn’t I give orders already? This inn is now a military restricted area under our Northern Legion’s control. Anyone who enters without permission will be executed! How dare you let people in like this?!”
The cavalryman glanced at the major and said, “But Major Simon said…”
“Say what? Since I’ve given the order, not even pigs are allowed in! Do you understand?”
At that point, Carol suddenly seemed to remember something. He turned to look at the major and said, “Ah, Major Simon, please don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t calling you a pig. I was just disciplining my subordinates. Some of them are so unruly that they need to be taught a lesson. Right?”
With that, Carol glared at the cavalryman again and said, “Get out! If another pig enters our Northern Legion’s restricted area, you’ll regret it!”
The cavalryman didn’t dare say more, only nodded in agreement before quickly retreating.
After all, the major named Simon wasn’t stupid. He naturally understood the implicit meaning behind Carol’s blunt words. But having suffered minor setbacks at Carol’s hands in this city of Rui wasn’t new to him. He knew he wasn’t Carol’s match, and arguing over such trivial matters would only make him more frustrated.

At that moment, his face turned red. He acted as if he hadn’t heard what had been said just now. After taking a breath, he said in a strained voice, “Captain Carol, today I really need to ask you properly—what exactly happened to the dozens of brothers I sent to guard the city gates? Not only was half of them killed, but the rest were sent to the city lord’s mansion by you! Captain Carol, I really need to ask you—what do you mean by this? Although the people from your Northern Legion were ordered to join forces with Ruihe City to fight the enemy, don’t forget that you are outsiders after all. It is still our Imperial City Defense Army that is responsible for Ruihe City’s defense! You killed our men without reason—was it because you failed to take the city? This isn’t the stronghold of your Northern Legion; it’s the Province of Kote. Do you understand?”

Major Simon shouted these words with righteous indignation, his face turning bright red. Though he looked like a barrel, his mind wasn’t made of wood after all. Each of his words hit the mark—although the Northern Legion had come to Ruihe City to fight the enemy, they had no right to take over its defense. That was the truth. If he could seize on this point, he might have a chance to overwhelm Carol.

However, while he spoke earnestly, Carol had already walked over to Du Fan and sat down. Only after Major Simon finished shouting did Carol smile slightly and say, “Major Simon, did you travel all this way just to talk about this? Ah, that must have been quite troublesome for you… Someone! Bring tea for Major Simon. People from our Northern Legion must know how to be polite. We can’t let others say we’re rude, can we?”

As soon as Carol finished speaking, someone brought a cup of tea and gently placed it in front of Major Simon.

Seeing that the words he had spoken with such effort were ignored by Carol, Major Simon grew angry. Unable to hold back, he picked up the cup of tea in front of him and smashed it on the ground, shouting, “Carol! If you don’t want to show some respect, fine! I’m here today to settle accounts with you, not to drink tea with you! Do you expect me to bring all the city defense troops here before you’ll give me an explanation?”

“Bang—”

Carol also waved her hand, knocking the teacup on the table to the ground, and shouted, “Simon, don’t think just because you’re a major general you’re something special. In front of our Northern Legion, you’re nothing but trash! If you scurry away now, I’ll pretend nothing happened. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless! As for those worthless underlings of yours—why did you kill them? You know better than I do. I’m holding back for your little pride. Do you really think you’re that important? Get lost right now!”
Simon’s expression changed drastically. He slammed the table and cursed, “Carol, have the guts to say that again!”
Carol sneered and was about to say more, but at that moment, Du Fan gently waved his hand. He picked up the teacup he had carefully protected earlier, took a small sip, and after a long while, sighed softly and said in a low voice, “This black tea must be rare in the North, right? Just this little amount we’re drinking now had to be shipped all the way from the South. Although it’s lost much of its flavor after being dried, it’s still quite precious in a place like the North. Both of you are pillars of the empire and belong to the upper nobility. How can you not appreciate such a rare thing and still resort to such extravagance? A few dozen guards? What’s the big deal? Is it really worth getting so angry? If word gets out, it won’t look good, will it?”
Although Carol was rude in front of Simon, she didn’t dare overstep when facing Du Fan and could only nod in agreement.
Major Simon might have been reckless, but those who reached high positions usually had some judgment. He saw that Du Fan, though seemingly ordinary, exuded a mysterious and indescribable aura. Judging from Carol’s attitude toward him, this young man’s status must also be quite high.
Having spent years in the North, Major Simon knew a bit about the Northern Legion. People from that legion would never be this respectful to outsiders except to their direct superiors. So, this seemingly ordinary young man must also hold a high position in the Northern Legion. But after thinking hard, Major Simon couldn’t figure out which member of the legion he was. Realizing his own limitations, he didn’t dare to make any further noise. He simply glanced at Carol in confusion and said, “Captain Carol, I still haven’t been introduced to this person…”

Carol let out a soft hum and after a moment bowed and said, “This is the third son of Duke Green, the third young master of the Green family, and a White Robe Priest of the Holy Church—Du Fan.”
Major Simon was stunned, filled with despair—dead, he was dead. This time he had offended a high-ranking official in the imperial capital; he likely wouldn’t be able to hold his position anymore. Although Captain Carol was from the Northern Legion, his status wasn’t high. Simon still dared to challenge him a few times, but the son of a duke… if he offended him, it would be better to just find a block of tofu and hit himself to death.
Seeing Major Simon’s expression change repeatedly, his originally rosy face turning pale, Du Fan couldn’t help but smile slightly. He shook his head slightly and said, “It’s alright, Major Simon. I’m just an insignificant noble—how could I compare to you important military officials? You don’t need to be formal around me. Just sit down.”
Even if Major Simon continued like this for another few decades, he might not be considered an important official. But since Du Fan had said so, he didn’t dare say much more. He could only force a smile and say, “No need… I’m fine standing… I really am fine standing…”
Du Fan shook his head slightly and said in a low voice, “It’s better to sit down. I’m afraid you won’t have the strength to stand later.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Carol.
Carol was quite perceptive. He understood Du Fan’s intention and realized that Major Simon was likely to suffer greatly this time. He secretly smiled but, regardless of his status, got up personally to find a reclining chair for Major Simon and then forced him to sit down.
After seeing Major Simon seated, Du Fan sized him up again and said, “Major Simon, just now I got to witness your bravery here. In the northern lands, there aren’t many who dare to challenge the Northern Legion, right? Without mentioning anything else, just for your courage, I, Du Fan, must admire you greatly!”
As he spoke, Du Fan made another gesture, and someone brought a cup of black tea to Major Simon.
Major Simon was extremely puzzled. This young master Du Fan had originally barged in here and shouted, clearly offending him. Yet not only was he not angry, but he was also being so polite to him now. Everything he said was either outright praise or subtle compliment. Could it be that Du Fan’s own bravery and courage had impressed him?

I heard that this young master from an isolated family admires most those brave individuals who dare to defy power. Could it be that this young master shares such thoughts too? If so, as long as I pretend well later, won’t that present an opportunity for great success? The more Simon thought about it, the more he agreed with this logic. He took a sip of the black tea in front of him and couldn’t help but praise inwardly: What fine tea! What the noble young masters drink is truly different!