Chapter 36: Subduing Gao Jie

Last night, a light snow had fallen without pause, only ceasing at the break of dawn.

Li Yi glanced at the faint glow outside his window, dressed himself, and stepped out into the courtyard.

From the distant threshing ground came the muffled sound of drums.

“Master, everyone’s already at the threshing ground—let’s hurry over!” Li Guo called out excitedly.

Today was the day of the militia competition—not only were the participants gathering, but many villagers had also come to watch the spectacle.

When Li Yi arrived, the drumbeats had just stopped. All around, the villagers crowded close, chattering and jostling for a view. The able-bodied youths stood in tidy lines, faces tense with excitement.

After all, the winning squad would receive six hundred coins—enough to buy a whole stone of wheat. And more than that, it was a chance to show themselves before everyone.

Gao Jie looked around with great curiosity. Ten rough fellows stood beside him, yawning and gesturing at the assembled lines, making rude remarks.

Seeing Li Yi arrive, Gao Jie stepped forward, smiling. “Brother Li, it’s only been seven or eight days since we made the wager, and you’re already eager to compete? Wouldn’t a few more days of training do you good?”

This contest was not the usual militia drill, but the result of a wager between Li Yi and Gao Jie. They had agreed: Li Yi would train the village youths into a militia and pit them against Gao Jie’s men. If Li Yi’s group won, Gao Jie would lead his men and obey Li Yi’s command.

Li Yi smiled. “Seven or eight days is plenty. If we wait any longer, we may miss tomorrow’s real event.”

Gao Jie’s expression shifted—he knew Li Yi meant the plan to intercept the Ai family’s goods.

“The shipment comes tomorrow?” he asked.

Li Yi only smiled. “We can discuss that later. Brother Gao, what do you think of my militia?”

Gao Jie shot a glance at the ranks and, with a hint of disdain, said, “They stand in neat rows, but fighting isn’t about who looks best. It’s all for show, nothing more.”

One of Gao Jie’s bald-headed men sneered, “Just a bunch of timid farmers—probably never seen blood. If I charge, I’ll have them running for their lives.”

The others burst out laughing. They were all men from Ganquan, well acquainted with the village youths. These young men were, in their eyes, honest but timid—frequent targets for bullying, and hardly worth notice.

Gao Jie quieted his men, grinning with pride. “Brother Li, don’t take offense. But let me give you a word of advice: fighting is about courage and ferocity. You’ve got a bunch of farmers who dig in the dirt, and you think you can make them into elite troops in just eight or nine days? My lads are all men with nothing to lose, used to living by the blade. How could your militia compare?”

The bald man jeered again, “Brother Li, why don’t you just admit defeat now? I’d hate to accidentally hurt your precious boys.”

They laughed raucously.

Li Yi smiled calmly. “A battle is life or death. If you have the skill, spare nothing—there’s no need to hold back.”

Just then, Li Zijin ran up. “Captain, your orders?”

“Begin with a long run to warm up, then drill with weapons. When the sun is fully up, we’ll start the match.”

At his command, the militia began their regular training. Gao Jie’s men watched like spectators at a play, whistling and jeering as the youths practiced their marching formations. The young men held back their anger, glaring at their tormentors—if not for strict discipline, they would have readily exchanged blows.

Li Yi stood at the side, coldly observing.

Gao Jie leaned in, lowering his voice. “They’re just idle ruffians, Brother Li—don’t let them upset you.”

Li Yi only smiled. “I wonder if they’ll still be laughing soon.”

Gao Jie was taken aback, a vague sense of unease creeping in.

As the sun climbed high, Li Yi judged the time right and stepped forward.

“Today, the first and second squads will compete. The winners earn six hundred coins, and a sheep will be slaughtered for a feast.”

At the promise of both money and mutton, the youths erupted in cheers. Gou Dan, holding his long shield, glared fiercely at the second squad—nothing would keep him from his meat today.

The two squads faced each other, each equipped with spears, swords, shields, and bows, forming a mandarin duck formation. The wooden spear-tips and arrowheads were wrapped in rags and smeared with ash, as were the blades and short spears.

Li Yi called out loudly, “Both sides, listen well! If you’re struck in a vital spot, you must immediately withdraw, or face military punishment. Understood?”

Both squads shouted in unison, “Yes, sir!”

“Begin!”

The drum sounded.

The villagers craned their necks in curiosity.

“Ha! This is killing me—wooden weapons and only a handful of men, and they dare call this a contest? I’ve seen it all now,” the bald man snorted, stifling laughter.

Gao Jie glared at him, and the bald man fell silent, shrinking back.

Gao Jie turned his attention to the proceedings, watching the marching formations intently.

Under their squad leaders’ command, the two squads advanced. Shield-bearers covered the front, spearmen lowered their weapons, wolf-brush wielders harried the enemy, while swordsmen with shields sprinted from the flanks to engage.

The formations, moving in step, widened Gao Jie’s eyes in astonishment.

At a dozen paces, archers on both sides loosed their arrows. The second squad’s spearman was struck and, at Li Yi’s signal, had no choice but to withdraw, furious.

Gao Lao Shi—the second squad’s leader—remained unruffled, whispering, “Don’t panic. Fight as we’ve trained.”

Their wavering lines steadied.

Soon, the two formations collided. Wolf-brushes swept upward, spearmen struck. Gou Dan, impatient as ever, lunged forward and knocked down the opposing shield-bearer, thrusting with his short spear—only to be blocked by a wolf-brush. Gao Lao Shi seized the chance, sweeping his spear at Gou Dan’s leg. Gou Dan cried out, kneeling, and before he could recover, was jabbed in the chest, howling in frustration.

With Gou Dan down, the first squad’s line was breached.

“A gap! Shield-bearers, press in! Swordsmen, follow!” Gao Lao Shi called out.

The second squad seized the moment, breaking the first squad’s ranks and isolating their opponents, defeating them one by one until the contest ended swiftly—in less than a quarter of an hour.

Gao Jie stared in disbelief, as if witnessing the impossible. “Isn’t this battlefield formation and tactics?” he muttered, fixing Li Yi with a penetrating gaze. Just how many secrets did this young man have?

When the match ended, Li Yi approached the second squad, surprised as he looked at Gao Lao Shi. He had seen clearly: the second squad, at a disadvantage after losing a spearman to enemy arrows, had quickly steadied themselves, and in the thick of melee, Gao Lao Shi spotted and exploited the enemy’s flaw, winning decisively.

He had unexpectedly discovered a natural leader of men.

Li Yi handed out the prepared coins to the victors, who cheered loudly, while the first squad stood glumly aside.

Li Yi looked at them coldly. “What’s this? One defeat and your spirits are broken? No wonder you’re called cowards.”

Li Zijin protested, “Brother Yi, we’re not convinced—let us fight again!”

Li Yi scoffed. “Defeat is defeat. If you die in battle, do you come back to fight again?”

Li Zijin fell silent.

Li Yi gazed sternly at the crestfallen young men. “I’ll give you a chance—fight Gao Jie’s men. Win, and all the mutton you can eat tonight. Lose, and the squad disbands—you’re all dismissed.”

Facing those unruly ruffians, the young men hesitated, glancing at one another.

“What’s wrong, are you afraid?” Li Yi said coldly. “If so, I’ll send the second squad instead. Go home and wear your coward’s name.”

Li Zijin grabbed Li Yi’s arm, shouting, “To hell with it—today, we’ll give it our all!”

Gou Dan, red-faced, bellowed, “I’ll beat the stuffing out of those bastards!”

The first squad, eyes blazing, glared at their challengers.

Li Yi walked up to Gao Jie. “Brother Gao, let’s settle our wager today.”

“Alright, lads, show Brother Li what you can do!” Gao Jie grinned.

The bald man spat and grinned wickedly. “A bunch of soft-handed fools—careful I don’t beat the piss out of you.”

He strode toward the field.

“Your opponents are us,” Gou Dan blocked him, clenching his fists and glaring at the bald brute.

The bald man glanced at Li Yi, who nodded with a smile.

The bald man’s face fell. He shook his fist in Gou Dan’s face threateningly. “You’re not my match.”

Gou Dan lifted his chin. “We’ll see after the fight.”

“Damn you!” the bald man cursed, swinging a heavy punch at Gou Dan.

But Gou Dan was ready—he ducked, grabbed the man’s waist, and with a grunt, slammed him to the ground.

“Bravo!” the watching youths cheered.

Gao Jie, his face dark, said, “Enough—if it comes to it, we’ll fight again.”

The wooden weapons were distributed; both sides faced off, eyes alight with fury.

The first squad meant to redeem themselves and defend the militia’s honor. Gao Jie’s men aimed to teach these “cowards” a lesson they’d never forget.

The drum sounded again.

The bald brute led the charge, fixing Gou Dan with a vicious glare. “You dog, watch me teach you a lesson!” he roared, charging at Gou Dan with a downward slash.

Gou Dan hurriedly raised his shield, blocking the blow—but the brute’s strength nearly knocked him off his feet.

The bald man, experienced in brawling, grinned and pressed forward, blade sweeping in a wide arc. Just as he was about to land a blow, Gou Dan’s wolf-brush-wielding comrade swung his weapon, forcing the brute to fend off attacks from both sides. The wolf-brush, thick with branches, snagged his clothes before he could react; then a spear jabbed him in the chest.

“Vital hit—withdraw!” came the call.

The rest of Gao Jie’s men rushed in, only to be met by a wall of wolf-brushes, shields, and spears—an impenetrable defense. Within moments, several were struck and forced to withdraw; half their number was gone in an instant.

Then, swordsmen with shields swept in from both flanks, surrounding the remaining men on three sides and driving them into retreat.

It was a resounding victory, and the villagers all cheered.

The first squad, their spirits restored, straightened their backs with pride.

Gao Jie was stunned. In a single clash, his battle-hardened men—all veterans of blood and steel—had been utterly routed. The thought of such a formation on a real battlefield sent a chill through his heart.

“Brother Li, I’ve lost this wager—and I admit defeat without complaint,” Gao Jie said, crestfallen.

His men hung their heads, unable to comprehend how they had been beaten so soundly.

Li Yi smiled. “Brother Gao, I won with formations today. If it were single combat, my men might not be your equals.”

This softened the blow for Gao Jie’s men.

Gao Jie gave a wry smile. “Brother Li, you’ve truly hidden your talents. In just eight or nine days, you’ve forged an elite force.”

“Far from elite,” Li Yi thought to himself. These youths had yet to face real battle—blades flashing, blood spilling, the screams of the dying. In a true fight, they would likely break at the first sign of danger.

“With the contest settled, my men and I are yours to command—arrange us as you see fit,” Gao Jie said.

Li Yi was overjoyed. With Liu Zongmin already won over, now he had also brought Gao Jie under his banner.

Laughing, he said, “The militia is still small. I’ll remain as captain; Brother Gao, would you accept the post of vice-captain? As for your men, they’ll form the fourth squad, with all positions appointed by you.”

Gao Jie was surprised. He had worried Li Yi would sideline him and seize power, but instead Li Yi had given him true authority.

Gao Jie was now utterly convinced—such generosity and leadership, combined with real ability, promised great things for the future.

With the contest over and Gao Jie’s men won over, Li Yi was elated.

“Tonight we slaughter sheep and pigs—let the militia feast on meat and wine! From now on, we are brothers in arms!” he declared.

The crowd cheered, praising Li Yi’s boldness and generosity.

That evening, bellies full of meat and drink, the atmosphere grew even more lively. The men played drinking games, sang boisterous songs, and roughhoused jovially.

Gao Jie’s men, straightforward and hearty, soon bonded with the village youths, swapping tales of adventure and vengeance to roars of applause.

The bald brute, still smarting from his earlier defeat by Gou Dan, challenged him to a rematch. Gou Dan eagerly accepted, and the two grappled and wrestled, providing the crowd with a fine spectacle.