Chapter Thirty-Six: The First Battle!

At the yamen, Chen Da pleaded and persuaded, but in the end, only eight men were willing to join Chief Li’s anti-bandit squad and follow him into the mountains to suppress the outlaws.

It hardly mattered. The fewer the constables, the easier it would be for him to orchestrate things from behind the scenes.

After taking careful note of their names, Chief Li himself took to the task, training them for several days.

On the third day, the training drew to a close. Chief Li looked at the eight men before him, coughed, and spoke, “Brothers, the magistrate strongly supports our anti-bandit squad. Today, I’ll take you to the storehouse to receive your armor.”

“Though the mountain bandits are fierce, their bows and crossbows are few. With armor, as long as you are brave, there’s little risk.”

He thumped his chest and declared loudly, “Remember, just stay behind me!”

He coughed again, then continued, “The mountain bandits are many, and our county yamen must maintain order in town, so not all of our constables can be dispatched. Besides the yamen men, we’ll also gather some village braves. I’ll handle this matter; you need not worry.”

“I have two fellow townsmen who’ll join us in suppressing the bandits. Let me introduce them to you.”

With that, Li called out, and Zhang Hu and Li Zheng stepped forward, cupping their hands in greeting to the constables.

Since all spoke with the accent of Qingyang, no one suspected Zhang Hu and Li Zheng’s origins.

After all, who would imagine that Li, who had opposed the bandits ever since arriving in Qingyang, and was now forming an anti-bandit squad to stand against them, would bring two bandits into his team?

Zhang Hu and Li Zheng joined effortlessly. Once all were acquainted, Chief Li announced his decision.

“Brothers, I’ve already learned the locations of two bandit strongholds. Tomorrow morning, we’ll assemble at the city gate and march out to suppress them!”

He lowered his voice, “Today, I’ll give each of you one string of coins. Hereafter, if anyone is unfortunate enough to fall to the bandits or is crippled and unable to move, even if the yamen doesn’t pay, I’ll personally give twenty strings of coins as compensation!”

At these words, the group cheered.

In these times, whether or not one could expect compensation, just receiving one string of coins was already a rare boon.

After dismissing the constables, Li Yun took Zhang Hu and the others to the storehouse to collect their sabers. As they walked, he glanced back at Zhang Hu and smiled, “Old Eight probably doesn’t know that the Gu family is searching for you everywhere.”

Zhang Hu scratched his head.

“Second Brother, what do they want with me?”

“To settle a score, of course.” Chief Li grinned, “Those few days, you gave that uncle and nephew pair quite the beating.”

Zhang Hu laughed, “No worries. I was disheveled then. Even if they saw me now, they probably wouldn’t recognize me.”

The three chatted as they reached the storehouse. Chief Li handed out two official sabers to them, saying calmly, “These are government blades. The yamen keeps count and they must be returned periodically. Don’t lose them.”

Zhang Hu took his saber, drew it for a look, and said nothing. Once outside, he grinned, “Second Brother, these blades are commonly traded. Our stronghold has two or three of them.”

Li Yun chuckled but said nothing more.

It’s nothing unusual for yamen men to deal in goods.

The three walked side by side, preparing to leave the county yamen, when a young woman’s voice called out.

“Li… Chief Li.”

Li Yun turned to see, not far behind, a maid of fifteen or sixteen waving at him.

Chief Li patted the lean Li Zheng on the shoulder and instructed, “You two go ahead. I’ll see what’s needed.”

Li Zheng, quick-witted, nodded, “Understood.”

Once the pair left, Li Yun approached the maid, smiling, “Miss Dong’er, what is it?”

Dong’er handed him two books, saying, “My mistress saw you reading, so she selected two volumes for me to bring to you.”

She paused, then added, “These are Master’s treasured books. Please remember to return them after reading, or Master will be angry.”

Li Yun took them and glanced at the covers.

The first was titled ‘Essentials of National History.’

The second, ‘Notes from Stoneware,’ was a bureaucratic diary, its author known as Old Stoneware—a veteran of officialdom.

But its accounts were from decades past.

Both books contained precisely what Li Yun now needed to study, so he accepted them without reluctance, bowing slightly, “Please thank Miss Xue for me.”

Dong’er responded, hesitated, then asked, “And, my mistress wonders…”

“Chief Li, aren’t you staying at the yamen?”

“Yes.” Li Yun smiled, “I was only lodging there temporarily. Now that I’ll reside in Qingyang for the long term, I’ve rented a small courtyard in town.”

Dong’er nodded.

Li Yun looked at her and said, “Miss Dong’er, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. There’s much to be done.”

Dong’er nodded gently, her gaze lingering on the books in his hands. “Chief Li, please do not forget to return them, else both my mistress and I will be scolded.”

Books in this era were precious, especially the diary—handwritten and perhaps unique, beyond the reach of ordinary folk.

Li Yun understood, and smiled, “Rest assured, I’ll return them promptly after reading.”

…

The next day, Li Yun led eight constables and his two brothers out of Qingyang County.

With so many, horses were out of the question; they walked along the official road for two days, finally reaching a mountain range.

Li Yun led the way. As the group pressed on, Chen Da sensed something amiss. He approached quietly and whispered, “Chief, are we being followed?”

Li Yun turned, smiling, “Why do you ask?”

Chen Da kept his voice low, “For twenty miles now, the same people have been ahead of us, as if deliberately tracking our movements…”

“And there are occasional noises in the woods on either side.”

Li Yun clapped his shoulder, smiling, “If they’re ahead, how could they be following us? It’s we who are following them. You’re sharp—good vigilance.”

“But those ahead are helpers I arranged. They’ve already scouted the bandit stronghold and are leading the way.”

“Just stick close to me.”

Chen Da relaxed and dutifully followed behind Li Yun.

As dusk approached, the party reached a mountain path where the guides finally halted. Chief Li hurried forward, recognizing the lead guide as none other than Old Nine Liu Bo from Cangshan Stronghold!

Once close, Liu Bo pulled him aside, gazed up the mountain path, and whispered, “Second Brother, this is the place.”

“Black Crow Mountain.”

Liu Bo continued quietly, “As you ordered, I found it. This is the most notorious stronghold near Cangshan—fond not only of raiding for girls, but…”

“Those taken rarely survive ten days. That old bastard in the stronghold loves to torment little girls.”

Chief Li looked up at the mountain path, asking, “How many are there?”

“More than twenty.” Liu Bo whispered, “Two from our stronghold have been watching their camp since last night. By now, nearly all their men are inside.”

Li Yun nodded, limbered up, bones cracking, and said slowly, “When we strike, show no mercy.”

“Understood.”

After briefing Liu Bo, Li Yun returned to the constables and spoke in a deep voice, “The bandit nest is just up the mountain. Stay alert—follow me up!”

At these words, every constable froze.

Shouldn’t the official forces attack the bandits…

In broad daylight?