Chapter Four: Revenge

Jin Broadsword pushed aside the crowd and studied Yang Xiaolin’s expression. “It seems Commander Yang’s wounds haven’t fully healed yet, but now that he’s awake, he’s out of danger. He’s snatched his life back from the jaws of death.”

Liu Xianhe rushed over and fell to his knees before Yang Xiaolin. “Brother Yang, my father is dead! The court killed my father!”

“Your father?” Yang Xiaolin looked at Liu Xianhe and suddenly recalled that his father, Liu Yikun, was once his dearest friend. Yet he couldn’t quite piece together how he had come to know this friend. His mind was a muddled mess, a tangled web of memories he couldn’t sort out.

He struck his own head fiercely, and though Liu Xianhe wanted to say more, Jin Broadsword dragged him back. “Enough for now. Commander Yang needs to rest. Let him have a moment’s peace. Everyone, no matter what, Commander Yang’s awakening is a good thing for us. From now on, if anything comes up, it will be handled by me, Commander Yang, and Master Kong. Does anyone have objections?”

This time, silence prevailed. Among their two hundred-odd men, these three, and Gu Tianming, held the greatest sway. But even Gu Tianming merely nodded his assent, saying nothing further.

Seeing a bloodbath narrowly averted, Kong Luodi let out a sigh of relief and helped Liu Xianhe to his feet. “Xianhe, we will surely avenge Brother Liu’s death. You can rest easy.”

Jin Broadsword was more direct. “What’s there to discuss? Those dog officials just returned to Fengtian. Biaozi said there are only a few hundred of them. We’ll storm the city, chop off that dog official’s head!”

Kong Luodi shook his head. “It’s not that simple. I say we act with caution. Jin Broadsword, there are government troops in Fengtian, and possibly Russian soldiers as well. We have barely two hundred brothers. If anything goes wrong, we’re finished. As the saying goes, a gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years. When the chance arises—”

Jin Broadsword cut him off. “Don’t flatter me, Master Kong. I’m no gentleman. When I want revenge, I take it now, not later! Simple question—are we going or not? If you’re in, follow me down the mountain. If not, hand over your guns and go home to your wives!”

Kong Luodi grew anxious. If Jin Broadsword’s attitude persisted, the band would soon fall apart. With this group, they could at least stand up to the authorities, or at worst, become mountain lords in the forests of Changbai. But if they scattered, the court would hunt them down one by one, and none would escape—especially men like him, who still bore the title of master.

Kong Luodi had no desire to die. He turned his gaze to Yang Xiaolin—Commander Yang. Commander Yang, too, was a man of loyalty. Otherwise, when other Qing units had scattered, his band had stuck with him through thick and thin. And he’d come to help, all for a word from Liu Yikun.

“How did Brother Liu die?” Yang Xiaolin finally asked.

He was beginning to understand—he had crossed over into another world. His soul now inhabited the body of this Commander Yang. Whether he was Yang the patrolman or Commander Yang, he couldn’t quite tell; things only seemed to grow more confusing.

Jin Broadsword settled onto a stone before him and retold everything Biaozi had just reported. At last, he said, “Commander Yang, my view is that as brothers, we should live and die together. I will avenge Brother Liu, no matter what. What do you say?”

Yang Xiaolin shook his head violently. Deep in his heart, he felt a surge of anger—Commander Yang’s anger. He wanted to give Jin Broadsword an answer, but the dual memories and thoughts within his mind were clashing and fusing intensely. Flashes of memory kept derailing his train of thought.

Jin Broadsword, waiting, began to think Yang Xiaolin didn’t want revenge for Liu Yikun either. His face darkened, prepared to split ways the moment Yang Xiaolin spoke.

Kong Luodi interjected, “In my opinion, our pressing concern should be evading the government troops’ encirclement. Biaozi made it clear that the court wants not only Brother Liu dead, but won’t spare us either.”

Biaozi nodded. “Yes, when I left, they were already preparing to set out.”

Jin Broadsword burst out laughing. “I’m not afraid of the Russians—why would I fear them? Let them come! If they come here, we’ll raid Fengtian and cut off the governor’s head!”

“They won’t come,” Yang Xiaolin finally said, rising to his feet. His mind had cleared somewhat. Regardless of whether he was Commander Yang or Yang the patrolman, it made little difference. What mattered was that Commander Yang had survived—and so had Yang Xiaolin. He meant to keep living. He remembered a voice telling him he had an important task yet ahead.

“How do you know they won’t come? That dog official made a deal with the Russians,” Jin Broadsword challenged, eyeing Yang Xiaolin with suspicion.

Yang Xiaolin smiled faintly. “Because I’m a soldier too. Let me tell you, if those soldiers really had courage, the Russians would never have taken Fengtian in the first place! The governor may send troops, and the soldiers may march out, but after circling the outskirts, they’ll return to the city.”

Jin Broadsword nodded. “That makes some sense, but it’s still just talk. I want revenge for Brother Liu. Are you in, or not?”

He had brought the conversation back around. Yang Xiaolin looked at Jin Broadsword. “How do you plan to take revenge?”

“Lead the men in! With so many commoners returning home, the soldiers won’t be able to check them all. We’ll blend in and take the gate by force.”

Clearly, Jin Broadsword had a plan. Yang Xiaolin nodded. “Sounds good. But what if we can’t break through the gate? Or if we’re trapped inside after getting in? Do you have any backup plan?”

Jin Broadsword was taken aback. As bandits, their ventures were always one-shot deals—if they succeeded in breaking the gate, they triumphed; if not, they’d flee, and whether they escaped was left to fate. They never considered contingency plans.

Apparently, Commander Yang had never thought of this before either, so Yang Xiaolin’s question left Jin Broadsword momentarily speechless.

Kong Luodi quickly spoke up. “Commander Yang is right.”

Yang Xiaolin considered for a moment. “In my view, we should send someone down first to scout the situation in Fengtian before making any detailed plans.”

Kong Luodi agreed. Jin Broadsword wanted to object, but then remembered he had just said the three of them would decide everything together. To renege now would be unseemly. Besides, they weren’t refusing to avenge Liu—just taking precautions. So, they would send someone to take a look first.

After some discussion, everyone agreed Sui Bing was the best candidate. He had served as a Qing soldier, had spent time in Fengtian, knew the terrain, and understood whom to watch for and where. If caught, he could claim to be a scattered soldier from the recent rout.

After Sui Bing left the mountain, Jin Broadsword and Kong Luodi set about organizing defenses on Gulu Mountain. Although Yang Xiaolin insisted the government troops wouldn’t come, that was only a guess. Their half year of fighting Russians on Gulu Mountain had taught them that caution never went amiss.

Yang Xiaolin wanted to help, but Jin Broadsword refused to let him. He insisted that, since Yang Xiaolin had been wounded saving him, he must rest and recover. Until he was completely healed, not only would he do no work, but even eating, drinking, and all other needs would be personally attended by Jin Broadsword himself.