Chapter 61: Sharpening the Blade

At nightfall, Ximen Jian rode back to camp with several Tiger Guard cavalrymen, leading eight horses. Given Hu Qian’s limited resources, it was impossible to gather eight mature mares, so among them were three colts.

As Ximen Jian entered the camp, he greeted the gate guards. Having proven himself at the archery contest by the camp gate, he was now a renowned warrior within the ranks.

Leading the herd back to the eastern sector where the Tiger Guard was stationed, Ximen Jian took four horses alone to Zhao Ji’s quarters. Outside the door, Han Shu, on duty, smiled and approached him.

“Captain Ximen, did Hu Wengong really hand over all the horses?”

“Hu Wengong is a man of integrity. When he said eight mares, he meant eight, no delays,” Ximen Jian replied, pointing at the horses. “Getting horses from him was all thanks to Captain Zhao’s sharpshooting. I don’t want to keep them all myself, so I intend to gift two to Captain Zhao, and two to you and Captain Jia.”

Han Shu looked over the mares, feeling somewhat embarrassed. “Captain, I’ve already received a reward, and including my mounts, I have three horses now. One more might be too much to manage.”

“Don’t refuse. If you can’t care for them, you can sell them,” Ximen Jian said, handing over the reins bundled together. “Tie them up here first. I’ll pay the captain a visit.”

“That’s fine. If the captain accepts, I won’t be stiff with you, Captain Ximen.”

“Haha, it’s just horses. The captain is a man of grand affairs; he won’t fuss over such things.” Ximen Jian patted Han Shu’s armored shoulder and headed into the quarters.

Inside the main hall, Zhao Ji sat upright in the seat of honor. The discussion had been interrupted by Ximen Jian’s arrival.

Seeing him enter, Zhao Ji gestured to an empty seat. “Sit here first.”

“Thank you.” Ximen Jian stepped forward and joined the other eleven officers. Each Tiger Guard team had an average of over forty men, totaling twelve tactical squads.

Wei Gu of administration, Pei Xiu of law, Jia Kui of logistics, and Xue Ming of infantry remained to guard the camp and estate, while Wang Qi of cavalry went on campaign.

Among the garrison commanders, besides Zhao Ji and Jia Tong, there were also Jing Chun of the third unit and Chang Mao of the fourth, who accompanied them.

The second unit’s commander Wang Fu and the newly appointed fifth unit commander Heng Fang stayed behind.

Thus, in council meetings, only Zhao Ji, Wang Qi, Jia Tong, Jing Chun, and Chang Mao held decisive power.

After Ximen Jian took his seat, Zhao Ji looked at Jing Chun. “Wenqing, continue.”

“Yes.” Jing Chun surveyed the others. “Ma Yezhi advocates caution. He wishes to gather his clan’s elder brother Ma Yewan, along with Liang Xing, Li Kan, and Hou Xuan from northern Fen, amassing eight thousand troops to march south. With overwhelming force, they intend to intimidate and drive out the treacherous officials without bloodshed.”

The twelve officers listened silently. Ma Yetong, Ma Yezhi’s nephew, sat with head bowed, restless and uneasy.

By protocol, he should have been excluded from the meeting, but Zhao Ji insisted on maintaining decorum and had him invited.

Participation was one thing; whether he’d be put under house arrest afterward was another matter.

Jia Tong, seeing no one speak, smiled and said, “Gathering eight thousand troops to march south is like chasing away a pack of wolves only to invite fierce tigers. If we ally with them, where will our own chance to wield arms be?”

His eyes swept the room before turning to Zhao Ji. “Captain Zhao, please report our loyalty to Lord Zhao. Though we number only five hundred, we can still eliminate the traitors!”

Wang Qi, chosen as cavalry commander for his service with the Sanhe cavalry and experience fighting the Yellow Turbans, was originally tasked with training the Tiger Guard’s mounted tactics. But time was tight; he could only offer advice during the cavalry’s formation.

After Jia Tong spoke, Wang Qi added, “We cannot wait. We have sworn our oath on the White Horse Alliance and morale is high. As for Liang Xing and others, upon examination, they are no different from the White Wave generals. Joining forces with them will only bring endless troubles.”

Chang Mao of the fourth unit nodded in agreement and challenged the others. “If we combine our armies, who among them would dare to charge first into the fray? They are opportunists at best. Such alliances would only corrupt the Tiger Guard’s discipline and spirit.”

He looked to Zhao Ji with a firmer tone. “If Ma Yezhi insists on staying, it’s clear he has treacherous intentions. We must not hesitate.”

Jia Tong concurred, “Exactly. Ma Yezhi’s forces are weak now. He dares only to stall us with words and twisted logic. Once Ma Yewan and Li Kan arrive with their troops, we will be outnumbered. I dare not imagine what he might do then!”

Hearing this, Ma Yetong, who had been sitting upright, slumped forward defeated, his spirit broken.

Zhao Ji noticed the change and said, “Then we proceed as planned. We break camp at the fourth watch tomorrow night. Tonight, the second and third units will stand guard; the cavalry commander will oversee camp affairs in my stead. I will now go see Lord Zhao to report on the army’s morale.”

Everyone saluted. “Understood.”

Zhao Ji returned the salute and, rising, instructed Wang Qi, “Cavalry commander, place Ma Yetong under house arrest and guard against attacks from the county troops.”

Wang Qi agreed immediately. During the meeting, the Tiger Guard crossbows were already cocked, ready for any threat from allies.

At this moment, Jia Tong asked, “Many Tiger Guard soldiers have horses. I’ve noticed county troops lingering around the stables. If someone claims to have found lost horses and causes trouble, what should we do?”

“Capture them alive if possible,” Zhao Ji answered.

Then, turning to the others, he declared, “Capture them alive but do not hold back. We must seize Ma Yezhi at once! Without him, Ma Yewan, Li Kan, or Hou Xuan, we can still cut down the traitors!”

“Understood!”

The Tiger Guard, battle-hardened and buoyed by today’s archery contest, were at the peak of their morale.

In contrast, the county troops’ spirits had also risen but were quickly diminished when facing the Tiger Guard and Zhao Ji, losing much of their advantage.

The Tiger Guard was eager to march south and suppress the rebels, unwilling to be tied down here.

If not for consideration of Zhao Yan’s feelings, Zhao Ji would have long ago struck down Ma Yezhi with a single sword during his staged performance with fake warriors.

It was only the suggestion of a shooting contest that diverted Zhao Ji’s attention; otherwise, he would have leapt up and taken action.

The meeting dispersed. Wang Qi led several officers to drag Ma Yetong to an outer storeroom.

As Jia Tong left, he told Zhao Ji, “Brother Aji, working with men like Ma Yezhi only spells disaster sooner or later. If he moves tonight, I will show no mercy.”

“Brother Wenzhen, rest assured. If Lord Zhao consents, we will deal with him decisively.”

Zhao Ji patted Jia Tong’s armored back with a sharp crack. “To think that during a military banquet, they dared to mock us by dressing a dancer as a warrior—truly courting death!”

“Tonight?”

“Yes. I intended to keep them to stabilize the rear, but seeing their restless and overconfident mood, keeping them is a menace.”

Zhao Ji glanced at Ximen Jian and Tang Xian still inside, then said to Jia Tong, “Stay vigilant. I also intend to ally with Xu Gongming.”

Jia Tong nodded. He regarded Xu Huang, a subordinate of Yang Feng, as more reliable than Ma Yezhi—at least Xu Huang was strict with his troops and seemed a pillar of the court.

As Jia Tong prepared to leave, Ximen Jian stopped him. Turning to Zhao Ji, he said, “Captain, I owe obtaining these eight horses to your sharpshooting and Captain Jia’s reminder. Hu Wengong gave me five large mares and three colts. I’ll keep one large and three small for myself, and want to share the rest among you, Captain Jia, and Brother Han.”

Jia Tong frowned. “You make such a fuss over something so small? I thought you found some important intelligence on your ride!”

Ximen Jian smiled sheepishly. “Without the captain’s prestige, Hu Wengong wouldn’t have handed over the horses so readily. This is the least I can do to show my thanks.”

Zhao Ji patted Jia Tong’s arm. “This is Yuanjie’s kindness. Brother Wenzhen, don’t be angry. You choose first, then Han Shu, the rest go to me.”

Jia Tong shot Ximen Jian a sharp glance, about to tease him, but thought better of damaging his pride. “Forget it… Let it be as it is. You gave me a horse; I shouldn’t be upset. It’s my temper.”

“I dare not. Captain Jia’s concern is for greater matters—it’s my fault,” Ximen Jian quickly admitted.

Seeing this, Jia Tong bowed to Zhao Ji and Ximen Jian. “I’ll wait outside.”

Ximen Jian hurriedly bowed to Zhao Ji. “Captain, I take my leave.”

Jia Tong had almost reached the door. Seeing that Ximen Jian came with no secret news, his expression darkened further.

Turning back, he caught Ximen Jian’s apologetic smile and felt even more helpless.

“We’re discussing how to strategically deal with the county troops, and you’re fussing over a few horses.”

Tang Xian watched them leave, smiling as he asked, “Captain, do you think Ma Yezhi will really rebel?”

“We’ve placed Ma Yetong under house arrest, so naturally Ma Yezhi is uneasy. Come, let’s go see Lord Zhao.”

Zhao Ji reached for his helmet on the low table, donned it, and tightened the chin strap.