Three days earlier, Tie Kuang had received Kang’s contract in the Iron Pavilion’s Great Obsidian Hall.
He read the ownership clause once and tore the page in half.
“We provide pumps, maps, and buyers. In return, we are allowed to purchase what should already be ours.”
Kang stood before the black dais. “In return, we receive metal without destroying the source. The mine was damaging the water. Austin stopped before we asked and fixed it.”
Tie Kuang’s huge hand closed around the armrest. “You defend him because he frightened you.”
“No. I defend a contract that keeps my workers alive.”
Vice-Director Lu arrived with a blue metal curl purchased at the border auction. Tie set it on a Cold-Iron anvil and struck it with his Mountain-Crushing Warhammer.
The anvil split. The curl did not bend.
For a moment, only the cooling tanks made noise.
Tie picked up the shaving. His eyes held both wonder and hunger.
“A smith who can make this should not answer to monks and farmers.”
Kang recognized the turn in his thinking. “The alloy makes a contract more valuable, not less.”
“It makes ownership more valuable.”
Tie ordered five hundred battle-miners and twelve Siege Golems prepared. The huge Nine-Heavens Earth-Drill Colossus was brought out of the deep armory.
His chief engineer objected. “The cutter spindle is out of balance. The gearbox seals leak. We need two days for repairs.”
“You have one night.”
A senior miner asked about the workers taken from the northern digs. Their paid leave had already been canceled twice.
Tie looked down at him. “The Pavilion owns their contracts.”
Kang stepped forward. “They are miners, not parts. If you order this march, at least keep the safety limits.”
Tie rose to his full eight feet. Scars crossed his bare shoulders. Two centuries of victories stood behind him, and he had learned to treat every limit as an insult.
“You may keep your production contract, Kang. Sign what you like after I own the mountain.”
Kang’s steel hand tightened. “That was never my goal.”
“I know. That is why you will never lead the Pavilion.”
Tie lifted his warhammer and ordered the horns sounded.
Behind him, mechanics worked through the night. They reported thin gearbox oil, worn seals, and a wobble in the main shaft. Tie signed none of their requests for delay.
By dawn, the army moved west. Kang followed with his own survey sheets and the signed contract. He still hoped to stop a battle. If he could not, he intended to get the miners out alive.