Chapter Forty-Seven: A Brawl

The army moved slowly southward, with Li Zhenggu showing no sign of urgency. They covered only thirty li a day—ostensibly to wait for the supply wagons behind—but even so, the marching pace was sluggish. The principle that speed was paramount in warfare seemed utterly absent from Li Zhenggu’s conduct.

Yao Feng, Li Ping, and the others discussed this endlessly, unable to fathom what Li Zhenggu was planning. Yang Lian, together with Lin Renzhao and Chen Tie, also conferred privately, agreeing that this campaign was likely little more than a pretense. It took more than ten days for the army to finally reach Changzhou. Changzhou was a special place for Yang Lian—it was here he had saved Princess Huairou and begun a new chapter in his life.

Li Zhenggu stationed his forces outside the city, claiming he was waiting for supplies, for as the saying goes, armies move only after provisions. Without grain, how could a battle be fought? Though Changzhou had its own stores, they were far from sufficient.

On the second day after settling in, Yang Lian and Lin Renzhao took their soldiers for another slow run, sandbags still tied to their bodies. The Divine Martial Army’s men were accustomed to this, but the soldiers of the Heavenly Valor Army watched in bemusement, muttering that these people must be mad. Yang Lian was used to such ridicule and ignored them. After running for half an hour, drenched in sweat, he returned to the camp to rest.

As he approached the Divine Martial Army’s quarters, he heard curses and the shrill neighing of a warhorse. The sound of the horse was familiar, and Yang Lian’s expression changed as he strode quickly toward the stables. There he saw a burly, dark-faced man leading Yang Lian’s black horse out. The horse, unaccustomed to the man, snorted and struggled, but was dragged out by sheer force.

Seeing this, Yang Lian’s anger flared. Who was this man who dared steal his horse? Without hesitation, Yang Lian rushed forward and struck the man in the face, eliciting a howl as blood poured from the man's nose.

“You scoundrel, who are you to steal my warhorse?” Yang Lian shouted, his voice so fierce it made ears ring.

The man, coming to his senses and wiping at the blood, retorted, “You’re just a petty officer, daring to strike me—”

Yang Lian didn’t let him finish, swinging again. His tough training had made him as sturdy as a young bull, and his punch sent the man staggering into a sharp post, blood streaming down his face. Yang Lian continued to rain blows, taking advantage of his superior position, stopping only short of killing him.

The man, dizzy and battered, didn’t even notice when Yang Lian stopped, reclaimed his horse, and spoke to the soldiers. The beaten man spat discreetly, lowered his head, and slipped away under the gaze of bystanders.

A well-meaning person approached Yang Lian with a warning, “That man is Chen Decheng from the Heavenly Valor Army, a captain. You’d best be careful.”

Yang Lian clasped his hands in thanks. “Thank you, brother. But regardless of whether he’s a captain or a commander, anyone who tries to take what’s mine is dreaming.”

Some, unaware of Yang Lian’s background, wondered how a mere officer could stand up to captains and commanders. They dismissed him as a reckless fool and left with a sigh.

Yang Lian paid them no mind and returned to the training ground. Near midday, shouts erupted as a crowd surged forward, someone calling out, “Who is Yang Lian?”

Lin Renzhao shot Yang Lian a glance and shook his head, signaling him not to go out.

Zhou Hongzuo, however, heard the call clearly and asked, “Which unit are you from? What are you doing here?”

“Yang Lian injured our captain! Tell him to come out and face his death!” someone shouted arrogantly.

Zhou Hongzuo’s brows shot up. “What’s going on?”

Yang Lian replied, “He tried to steal my horse, so I taught him a lesson.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhou Hongzuo’s eyes. Though the Southern Tang had long been in peace and promotions often depended on seniority, a captain was still a significant rank; Yang Lian dared strike him, showing no small measure of courage. Zhou Hongzuo was not one to shirk from trouble and sneered, “Open the gates. Let’s see what they intend.”

A few soldiers opened the gates. Zhou Hongzuo nodded, “You started this, so handle it yourself. But remember—you must not disgrace the Divine Martial Army.”

Yang Lian agreed, clenched his fists, and strode out, followed closely by the worried Lin Renzhao and Chen Tie.

“I am Yang Lian,” he announced to the nearest man.

“So, you struck our captain. How do you plan to settle this?” the man demanded, his gaze cold.

“I hit him, so what? Are you here to stand up for Chen Decheng?” Yang Lian retorted.

“I am Lei Zhen, officer under the captain,” the man declared.

“So, eager to prove your loyalty? I doubt you have the skill,” Yang Lian sneered.

“You—” Lei Zhen’s rage mounted, but before he could speak, Yang Lian snorted and swung a fist.

Lei Zhen was startled by the sudden attack and its speed. Caught off guard, his face burned and he nearly vomited blood.

“That’s for trying to steal my horse!” Yang Lian shouted as he struck, holding the moral upper hand.

Seeing Lei Zhen beaten, the Heavenly Valor Army soldiers were momentarily stunned, then rushed forward with shouts.

“Beat them!” Chen Tie, a hot-blooded youth, cried when he saw his comrade beset.

“Beat them!” The Divine Martial Army soldiers echoed, eager for excitement. With the battle still distant and boredom prevailing in Changzhou, they relished the chance. A dozen fierce Divine Martial soldiers, most of them Yang Lian’s men, joined the fray against the Heavenly Valor troops.

Soon shouts, curses, and screams filled the air. Amid the chaos, men struck one another, sometimes even their own comrades, creating utter confusion.

From a distance, Zhou Hongzuo was taken aback; he hadn’t expected Yang Lian to spark such a brawl, stirring everyone into a frenzy.

In the melee, someone shouted, “The Deputy Privy Councilor is here!”

But the fighting was so intense that no one heard; the battle raged on.

Li Zhenggu watched with a frown—these fools, squabbling among themselves before the real battle had even begun!

Gao Shensi was deeply displeased—who had instigated this?

Zhu Kuangye’s face darkened like storm clouds; from the looks of it, the Heavenly Valor Army was losing. As their commander, he felt humiliated and resolved to reclaim his honor.

Li Zhenggu’s personal guards pushed forward, forcing the soldiers apart. Zhou Hongzuo, sensing trouble, hurried to intervene, ordering the men to disperse. When the dust settled, at the center Yang Lian was still pummeling a man, who cried out for mercy.

Yang Lian let go, his palm stained with Lei Zhen’s blood. Lei Zhen’s hair was disheveled, blood streaming from his face, looking utterly miserable. Released, he managed a weak smile and said, “Thank you, mighty Yang, for sparing my life.”

Hearing this, Li Zhenggu’s expression shifted.

Gao Shensi’s feelings were mixed. When he recognized Yang Lian, he wondered why it had to be him—wasn’t he just making trouble? Regardless, Yang Lian had severely beaten Lei Zhen and would surely face punishment. Yet, given his connection to the Prince of Qi, Gao Shensi felt conflicted. Still, it would ultimately be up to Li Zhenggu; if necessary, he could plead for leniency, and the Prince of Qi would not blame him.

Zhu Kuangye cast a sidelong glance at Gao Shensi, noted his thoughtful silence, and snorted coldly, but said nothing. He hated Yang Lian bitterly, but Lei Zhen’s pleas for mercy had left him humiliated, unsure how to respond.

Yang Lian glanced at Li Zhenggu, Gao Shensi, and Zhu Kuangye, then strode forward and saluted loudly, “Officer Yang Lian, at your service, Deputy Privy Councilor and Commander.”

Zhu Kuangye’s expression changed. Like most, upon hearing Yang Lian’s name, he was shocked. He scrutinized Yang Lian, noting that he bore no resemblance to the former crown prince of the previous dynasty.

Li Zhenggu, however, narrowed his eyes and appraised Yang Lian. Seeing his burly frame and the scar across his face, he nodded approvingly. “So you are Yang Lian? Good, very good.”

Gao Shensi couldn’t help but glance at Li Zhenggu, puzzled by his tone—something seemed amiss.

Zhu Kuangye’s heart sank, sensing trouble, but he refused to yield. He sneered, “Yang Lian, you certainly have courage.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Commander. If I have one virtue, it’s boldness—I’m not afraid of ghosts even walking alone at midnight,” Yang Lian replied, riding the momentum, nearly sending Zhu Kuangye into a rage.

Li Zhenggu nodded. “Yang Lian, what exactly happened?”

Yang Lian recounted how Chen Decheng had tried to steal his horse and was beaten, followed by Lei Zhen bringing men to seek trouble. In conclusion, he said, “Deputy Privy Councilor, I may have acted inappropriately, but these men were too much—stealing my horse and then barging in. Though I am unworthy, I understand that defending one’s home and country means resisting invaders. If others invade and we meekly submit, our nation and families will surely fall.”

His words, casting himself as a defender of home and country, were both aggrieved and apologetic, greatly improving Li Zhenggu’s impression of him. Gao Shensi nodded repeatedly; Yang Lian was neither humble nor arrogant, speaking with decorum and conviction—Gao Shensi was very satisfied.

Zhu Kuangye’s face was expressionless. “So, Yang Lian, you claim you’re blameless, even a hero?”

“Not at all, Commander. I merely spoke the truth. If you doubt me, ask them, or ask Lei Zhen and Chen Decheng,” Yang Lian replied.

Zhu Kuangye knew his subordinates well and snorted, saying no more.

Li Zhenggu looked at Lei Zhen, whose face was bloody and hair disheveled, recalling his earlier pleas for mercy, and felt nothing but contempt. Though a scholar, Li Zhenggu prided himself on integrity and likened himself to green bamboo; naturally, he had no fondness for Lei Zhen and admired Yang Lian’s forthrightness, seeing him as a true man, albeit somewhat reckless and still tinged with the spirit of the martial world.

Thinking this, Li Zhenggu said, “Yang Lian, though your actions are understandable, you did injure Lei Zhen. Go and apologize at once.”