Chapter 235: Speech Is Not Blowing

Wang Yang remained unmoved and firmly declined:

"Your Highness and Uncle's kindness fills me with deep gratitude. But I previously pledged to Master Liu that I would not neglect my studies, and I am currently composing the 'Annotated Proof of the Yu Gong Chapter of the Book of Documents.' As it is said, 'The gentleman attends to the root; once the root is established, the Dao arises.' And also, 'The gentleman's thoughts do not stray beyond his station.' I am now a student of the commandery academy—my duty lies in learning. How could I abandon scholarship in haste for fame and office?"

He paused briefly, his gaze earnest as he looked toward Wang Yi:

"Moreover, Uncle's mission is undertaken by imperial order. If I accompany you, it may appear as personal lobbying. I dare not sully your reputation or disrupt the court's norms."

Wang Yang turned to the Prince of Badong:

"Moreover—"

The Prince of Badong had no intention of hearing Wang Yang continue. This boy's tongue could revive the dead and flesh the bones; if he kept speaking, who knew what he'd say next. He cut in loudly:

"Zhiyan, stop refusing! I'll speak plainly: your uncle's mission to the southern barbarians requires, by regulation, an official from Jingzhou to accompany him as advisor. I've deliberated long on this candidate. This southern incursion, the abduction of Seeing Liu Cheng—this is my failure in oversight. No matter how Wang Sanchi reports it, the court will hold me accountable. So consider this your duty to relieve my burden: accept the appointment as Jingzhou's advisor, accompany the mission, and earn me a merit. Besides, Seeing Liu Cheng was abducted while with you—you bear responsibility for bringing him back."

The Prince of Badong would not allow Wang Yang to refuse further; he declared sternly:

"Wang Yang, listen! I now appoint you, in plain robes, as advisor to the mission! Prepare your gear immediately; in six days, depart with the imperial envoy to the barbarians!"

Wang Yang sat motionless.

The Prince of Badong's face darkened: "Wang Yang, are you defying my order?"

Wang Yang rose and bowed deeply to the Prince of Badong:

"How could I defy Your Highness's command? Not only am I a student of Nanshan Commandery Academy, under your jurisdiction, but you have shown me great favor—I would never be ungrateful. Moreover, your selection of me for this mission stems from your trust. If I stubbornly evade it, would I not betray your earnest intentions..."

The Prince of Badong's expression softened:

"I knew you were a sensible man. Rest assured, when you return victorious, I shall reward you handsomely—and erect a stele to record your merit, so all of Jingzhou shall know your achievement!"

Wang Yi waved his feather fan and exclaimed:

"Bravo! Wang Yang of Langya Wang Clan—youthful, insightful, sharp-witted, decisive. His literary brilliance shines, his mastery of classics profound. His talent dazzles the academy; his scholarly name stirs Jingchu! The southern barbarians, rebellious, have seized our scholar! The court has dispatched Minister Wang Yi with imperial credentials to admonish them, yet Wang Yang, in plain robes, serves as advisor. Yet to reach adulthood, he bears the mandate far afield. Wang Yang spreads the sage's teachings, displays virtue and might! Marvelous! Marvelous! I shall write the stele inscription myself!"

The Prince of Badong laughed heartily:

"Minister Wang is truly extraordinary—in an instant, he's composed the stele text! Wang Yang, you've truly stolen the spotlight! When you begin your career, who else but you could fill the post of Assistant Military Advisor of the Southern Command?"

Wang Yi exclaimed: "Your Highness holds such high regard for my nephew?! His first post is Assistant Military Advisor?"

"An Assistant Military Advisor is too small a limit for a Wang family steed of a thousand li! I only hope, Minister Wang, you won't try to steal him from me!"

"Well... that's uncertain."

"Ahahaha...!"

The two men exchanged glances and roared with laughter, each delighted in their own way.

Wang Yang thought: (→_→)

"Your Highness's grace, Uncle's favor—I, though dull, know this is extraordinary favor. Since entrusted with this duty, I shall strive to repay your care and patronage. But I face one difficulty: if unresolved, even if I wish to serve and earn merit, I may not be able to depart."

Based on his experience with Wang Yang, the Prince of Badong was certain the boy's so-called "difficulty" was nothing but mischief. He was about to devise a response when Wang Yi asked:

"What trouble do you have, nephew? Speak freely! Even if your uncle cannot solve it, can't Your Highness?"

The Prince of Badong:...

"Oh! Then I'll say it! I've already agreed to partner in business. The initial preparations have drained me of both energy and funds. It begins in ten days—if I breach the agreement, I must pay one hundred thousand cash. Crucially, the partner insisted I personally oversee operations to feel secure. But if I depart on this mission, leaving Jiangling, I'll be in breach! To honor Your Highness and Uncle's favor, I'm willing to forfeit all prior preparations. But the one hundred thousand cash penalty—I simply cannot pay it yet..."

Wang Yang's tone was troubled as he looked toward Wang Yi.

Wang Yi said:

"Accompanying the mission is not your duty; you shouldn't suffer losses. This one hundred thousand cash should be covered by your uncle! But I carry only public funds on this mission—no personal wealth... I'll return immediately and draft a petition to the Ministry of Personnel. If they approve, all is well. If not..."

Wang Yi declared solemnly: "Then your uncle will find another way!"

Wang Yang quickly said: "Thank you, Uncle! But will waiting for the Ministry's reply delay the mission?"

Wang Yi looked troubled: "Indeed. It would be best if someone could advance the funds."

Wang Yang's expression was conflicted: "Indeed. But who would be so generous?"

Both turned to look at the Prince of Badong.

The Prince of Badong: #￥@*&&*@#%*……&%@

The Prince of Badong fixed Wang Yang with a stare:

"Show me the contract. The one stating you owe one hundred thousand cash for breach."

Wang Yang met his gaze calmly: "No written contract. Only a verbal agreement."

The Prince of Badong smiled: "Verbal agreements mean nothing."

Wang Yang replied seriously: "A man without trust cannot stand."

The Prince of Badong narrowed his eyes: "Then who is the guarantor?"

Wang Yang lifted his chin: "Ji Bu never breaks his word."

The Prince of Badong sat bolt upright:

"So you have nothing—just your mouth, and you call it a business? Do you think this is blowing air?"

Wang Yang's eyes grew sorrowful, as if wronged:

"You yourself promised I'd be richly rewarded upon return, and that you'd erect a stele to record my merit—I believed you wholeheartedly! I trust you. Don't you trust me?"

The Prince of Badong was speechless. Wang Yang was as good as dead; he never intended to reward him. The stele? Yes—but it would be a tombstone, not a monument.

In truth, Wang Yang was clearly seeking advantage; the one hundred thousand cash penalty was merely an excuse—a disguised request for mission compensation. But the Prince of Badong refused to yield.

Why must Wang Yang take everything without giving a single coin? Must I be born to be robbed by him?

One hundred thousand cash meant little—especially since Wang Yang was a dying man. Paying it would be easier than enduring the hassle—but this pride must be reclaimed!

After all, this might be his final chance to defeat Wang Yang.

"Who is your business partner?" the Prince of Badong asked swiftly.

"Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Si Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Xie Lady Xie Niangzi," Wang Yang answered instantly.

The Prince of Badong pressed faster: "What business?"

Wang Yang replied just as quickly: "Roast duck shop."

"Ha!" The Prince of Badong's expression brightened, as if he'd uncovered a flaw. He pointed at Wang Yang: "I'll send someone to verify this immediately!"

Wang Yang blinked: "The roast duck shop is just one of the options—"

The Prince of Badong glared: "Wang Yang! You really think this is blowing air? Even if it were blowing air—you blow it out easily, but you won't blow it back!"

Wang Yang smiled: "That's not certain..."

The Prince of Badong instantly perked up.

"Fine! Then let's make a wager!"

He extended his hand: "Someone—give me a copper coin!"

A servant hurried forward and placed a copper coin in the Prince's palm.

The Prince slammed the coin onto the table, then blew sharply upon it.

The coin flipped, spun, and rolled outward until it reached the table's edge. The Prince clapped his palm down, then lifted it, glaring challengingly at Wang Yang:

"You sit in my seat and blow. If you blow the coin back, I'll pay your one hundred thousand!"

"But if you fail, you owe me one hundred thousand!"

"We agree: no switching seats, no leaning over, no changing direction!"

"You said 'not certain'? Then blow!"

Wang Yang stared at the coin, silent.

Wang Yi clapped his hands and laughed:

"This wager is intriguing! Zhuangzi said: 'Speech is not blowing.' To wager ten thousand cash on blowing a coin—there's profound meaning here! I shall be witness!"

"One hundred thousand cash!" the Prince of Badong corrected sharply. "It's one hundred thousand cash! Minister Wang, if you're the witness, you'll pay if he reneges!"

Wang Yi immediately said: "Then I won't be the witness."

The Prince of Badong shot him a look:

"Don't worry—he has money. If he has none, he'll sell his house to pay!"

He turned to Wang Yang, smug:

"Blow! You're so good at blowing, aren't you? You said 'not certain'? I'm not cheating you—I used a small coin. Blow! Blow it back, and I admit defeat!"

Wang Yang said: "Your Highness, I want cash on hand—no cheating."

The Prince of Badong chuckled:

"I've wagered countless times—when have I ever cheated? If you blow it back, I'll send the money to your home immediately!" He paused, then added hastily: "Inhaling doesn't count! You must blow it back!"

Wang Yang rose and walked toward the Prince of Badong.

The Prince's expression changed instantly—could this boy actually have a trick?

Wang Yang smiled at the Prince: "Your Highness, shall we call off this wager?"

The Prince of Badong immediately sensed bluster: "No! Blow! If you blow it back, I'll pay!"

Wang Yang smiled: "Then let's raise the stakes—two hundred thousand?"

The Prince of Badong felt a flicker of doubt.

Wang Yi urged: "Your Highness, better not wager so much."

Impossible! Impossible! How could blowing air bring it back?

He's bluffing!

Trying to scare me off? Do you think I'm easily frightened?!

The Prince of Badong's eyes blazed like lightning, his face flushed with excitement, as if ignited—he slammed his palm on the table:

"Two hundred thousand is too little! Thirty thousand! No one backs out!"

In past wagers, Wang Yang had always known the right measure—never too heavy, never too humiliating, striking perfect balance, so even when he won, the Prince never resented him. But today, he seemed to have lost all restraint, all caution, continuing with a grin:

"Then four hundred thousand?"

The Prince of Badong's facial muscles twitched; he could no longer sit still, leaping to his feet and vacating his seat for Wang Yang, his voice sharp but hollow:

"Enough nonsense! We agreed on three hundred thousand—three hundred thousand it is! Blow it back now! If you don't, I'll send men to your house to collect the money!"

Wang Yang sat down calmly.

He stood his palm upright behind the coin, then leaned forward and blew sharply into his palm!

Swish!

The coin instantly slid back!

When blowing air onto the palm, the airflow exerts a force on the palm; at the same time, the palm exerts an equal and opposite force on the airflow. This is Newton's Third Law.

Can you win against Newton's Third Law?

Wang Yang looked at the Prince of Badong.

Fuck...

It really did slide back...

The Prince of Badong stared, dumbfounded...

————

Note: The coin sliding back also involves the Bernoulli effect, where fast-moving air reduces pressure, creating a pressure differential.