Chapter 9: Winning Hearts and Minds

“I already have enough silver, so I don’t intend to sell the wild boar,” Li Yi said fearlessly, patting the massive beast. “Brother Gao, if you’d be so kind as to butcher the boar, the pork will be shared among our fellow villagers today. As for the hide, let it be your reward for the work.”

At these words, the earlier tension vanished in an instant.

Old Master Gao looked at Li Yi in disbelief, his voice trembling with excitement. “Young Li, this wild boar is worth six taels of silver. Are you truly going to give the meat to the villagers?”

Li Yi smiled. “Joy is better when shared. Everyone’s livelihood was ruined by that demon boar—now that it’s slain, why not feast together?”

Money was important, but to build strength, reputation was equally vital. Li Yi would not let such a good opportunity slip by.

Killing the demon boar had already won him some renown, but distributing the meat would spread his name even faster throughout Shuangquanli, like adding fuel to a blazing fire.

Never underestimate the power of reputation. It is the very heart of the people—win their hearts, and everything will go more smoothly.

“First, the wild boar tormented the people. Now, the villagers feast upon it. That’s how it should be,” Gao Jie said with a half-smile, glancing at Li Yi before patting the boar. “Since that’s the case, what other reward do I need? A portion of pork will do.”

Li Yi shook his head. “Even if you don’t ask, Brother Gao, you’ll be my honored guest today—meat and wine await you. Please, accept the boar hide as a token of friendship.”

“Then I’ll gladly make a friend of you, Brother Li.”

Gao Jie was not one for empty words, and since he needed the leather for armor, he accepted the gift.

He immediately called over a few helpers. Fires were lit, knives sharpened, and in the space of an hour, the sharp blades sliced and chopped the boar into several large pieces.

The remaining meat was divided among the helpers as their share.

In the biting winter cold, Gao Jie had already shed his thick coat. Now, his body steamed in the frosty air as he wiped away sweat with a towel and dressed before approaching.

Li Yi surveyed the butchered boar and praised, “Truly a skill handed down through generations—impressive indeed. Brother Gao, I suspect you handle a blade well, not just for butchery.”

Gao Jie’s eyes brightened. “You’ve noticed, Brother Li. My family’s fortune isn’t built on butchery alone.”

His words carried a hidden meaning, and Li Yi gave him a thoughtful look but said nothing more.

Old Master Gao led Li Yi and Gao Jie back to the house. Tables had already been set up in the courtyard, women were busy in the kitchen, and the villagers huddled out of the wind, chatting idly.

Li Guo and Gao Xiao Jia were enthusiastically recounting the slaying of the demon boar, faces flushed with excitement, winning the admiration of the younger boys.

When Li Yi and Old Master Gao returned, Li Guo and the villagers crowded around.

Old Master Gao waved his hand and said loudly, “Fellow villagers, Young Li is a man of great kindness! This wild boar, worth six taels of silver—he asks for nothing and insists the pork be shared among us. I could not stop him. Tell me, is Young Li not a righteous man?”

“Young Li, are you really going to share the pork with us?” one villager called out, scarcely believing it.

Li Yi smiled and declared, “For every village within ten miles of Chai Mountain, those over fifty shall have five catties of pork; those over seventy, ten catties. Every household present today shall have two catties, until the meat is gone.”

“Young Li is a righteous man!”

“Thank you, Brother Li. We will remember your kindness.”

“What a fine young man.”

The villagers, who rarely tasted meat throughout the year and had suffered through years of hardship, could hardly contain their joy at the prospect of a feast. Their grateful cheers echoed, and their eyes shone as they looked at Li Yi.

A group of ragged children cheered, “We get to eat meat! We get to eat meat!”

At once, the entire village was abuzz, more lively than the New Year.

Li Yi himself was cheerful. He turned to Gao Jie. “Brother Gao, I have few hands to help me. Could I trouble you to oversee the distribution?”

Gao Jie thumped his chest. “Rest assured, Brother Li. My men know the area well. We’ll see the meat distributed fairly, without a hitch, and everyone will speak well of you.”

He winked at Li Yi, clearly seeing through his intentions.

Li Yi laughed heartily and cupped his hands. “Then I’ll leave it in your care, Brother Gao.”

With the matter settled, the village women brought out food. Aside from two bowls of cured meat and salted fish, most dishes were pickled vegetables, with barely a trace of meat.

Li Yi was ushered to the seat of honor, with Gao Jie on his left, Old Master Gao on his right, and several notable men from neighboring villages as company. The rest of the villagers stood by, watching.

In these times of famine and bitter winter, it was rare to have even one table of food; not everyone could partake.

Li Yi considered for a moment, then asked Gao Jie to have some meat and pork bones brought back. A large pot of meat soup was set boiling, with noodles tossed in—at least something savory for the villagers.

This gesture won him even more gratitude.

The meal lasted until dusk. As the sky darkened, all those present were full and satisfied. Li Yi drank some hot tea, chatted a while longer, then took his leave.

The villagers rose to see him off, and despite his insistence, they escorted him all the way to the village entrance.

“Young Li, come visit whenever you have time. Our village may be poor, but we can still offer you a meal.”

“It’s been months since we tasted meat. Brother Li, we owe you a great debt. If you ever need our help, just say the word.”

“As for the matter with the Ai family, we all know. That dog Ai Wanhua has ruined more than a few good women. If he dares trouble you again, we’ll stand with you and bring him before the county magistrate.”

The others all nodded in agreement.

Though poor, the villagers valued gratitude and loyalty above all. Today, Li Yi had slain the demon boar, earning their respect, and generously shared the meat, winning their affection. Should hardship come upon him, none would turn their backs—such is the bond of rural kinship.

Though the authorities dared not touch Ai Wanhua, Li Yi felt his heart warmed by their support.

He bowed deeply to the assembled villagers. “Thank you, all of you.”

The villagers hurriedly returned the salute, faces beaming.

Li Yi and Li Guo set out from the village. Not far along the road, a burly man emerged from a mountain gully.

He carried a bamboo basket and grinned. “Brother Li, here’s the pork you set aside, and the offal too. My brother said the boar’s head is heavy, so he’ll keep it for himself and send you two sacks of rice and flour.”

Li Yi nodded. “Thank you. Tell Brother Gao I’ll visit him soon.”

The man agreed and departed.

Watching the man’s imposing figure, Li Yi reflected on his plans—if he could bring Gao Jie into his fold, his chances would greatly improve.

It seemed in a few days, he would have to have a proper talk with him.

Lost in thought, Li Guo gleefully lifted the cloth from the basket. “Great! Now we can have meat every day!”

Li Yi smacked him on the back of the head. “All you think about is eating! This meat will serve a greater purpose.”

Li Guo clutched his head, reluctant to look away from the pork.

The two of them, carrying the bamboo basket, made their way back to Lijia Village.

All along the road, Li Guo grinned from ear to ear, hopping and skipping as he recounted the day's events, clearly elated.