Section 042: Both Mentor and Friend

Li Dong’s heart leapt with joy as he pondered quietly. Right now, Luo Shixin was still very young; not only was he unfamiliar with the eighteen martial weapons, but he hadn’t even mastered the simple skill of riding a horse. Why not seize this opportunity to take him under my wing, nurture him carefully, and teach him the basics of combat and strategy? With his innate strength and courage, he is bound to become a renowned general in the future. Having such a man at my side would be like adding wings to a tiger, greatly increasing my might. Who in the world could then rival me?

Testing the waters, Li Dong asked, “Do you prefer tending cattle, or galloping across the battlefield, raising your arm to rally the masses and commanding the awe of a mighty warlord?”

Luo Shixin lowered his head and thought for a moment before replying, “Which is more fun, tending cattle or horses?”

Li Dong chuckled inwardly. He’s still just a child; my words are beyond his understanding. Right now, tending cattle is what matters most to him. I’ll have to guide him slowly, not rush things. Forcing too much at once might make him grow weary of the bloodshed of the battlefield, and if his mindset turns sour, it will take much effort to correct later.

“Of course, tending horses is much more fun! Think about it: when you’re tending cattle, aren’t you always alone? Every day you face nothing but blue skies, white clouds, lonely peaks, and grass—rarely even seeing another person. Tending horses is different; not only are there more horses, but more people too. You’ll always have companions, someone to play with!”

Luo Shixin clapped his hands and laughed loudly. “Oh, that sounds so much fun! I love being around people; the more, the merrier!”

Li Dong seized the moment and asked, “If, like just now, you’re surrounded by many villains who are all riding horses and attacking you, what would you do?”

Luo Shixin’s face darkened at the question and he sat silently in the war chariot for a long time. At last he muttered, “It was my fault to begin with. I took the thing they wanted. If I hadn’t made the first mistake, how could those dozen men have caught me? I seized their blade and knocked them all from their horses!”

What was the thing Luo Shixin took? Where did he hide it? That was the crucial point. Li Dong deliberately provoked him, “What sort of worthless junk is it, that you’d risk death rather than give it up?”

Luo Shixin grew agitated at Li Dong’s words. He fumbled beneath his shoe and produced a yellow, cone-shaped round medallion, gripping the chariot’s shaft with one hand and raising the medallion high with the other, shouting, “This isn’t worthless junk! It’s very entertaining!”

Li Dong took the medallion and examined it closely. The edge was broad and the center narrow, resembling an oversized sunflower seed. Its surface was carved with exquisite cloud patterns, and amidst the cloud layers soared a short dragon, barely a fifth of the medallion’s length. Li Dong could not discern what the medallion was or its strange purpose. Yet clearly, it was made of metal—either gold or bronze. Judging by the yellow color, it seemed more likely to be gold.

“Where did you get this? What is it, and what is it used for?” Li Dong’s curiosity was piqued; he could not help but ask Luo Shixin.

Luo Shixin scratched his head and replied, “How would I know? Some wealthy people in the forest, chased desperately by riders, shoved it into my arms and told me to keep it safe. They said they’d come back for it one day. I promised them, so of course I can’t reveal anything, not even if I’m beaten to death.”

Li Dong suggested, “Let me keep it safe for you…”

Luo Shixin immediately brightened. “Alright, alright! That thing brought me nothing but trouble—I got beaten up because of it. It’s unlucky; all those people were killed, and it’s useless for me to keep it. You take it.”

Luo Shixin had been tormented by the medallion, thinking it a harbinger of bad luck. Li Dong offered to safeguard it, and Luo Shixin handed it over gladly.

Li Dong’s face flushed ever so slightly—not out of greed for Luo Shixin’s fortune, but because the medallion wasn’t his to begin with; he was only keeping it for someone else. Those people were all dead now, and no one would come for the medallion any time soon. If it truly was made of gold, it was precious indeed, and losing it would be disastrous.

If he encountered more robbers, or if someone discovered he was carrying such a valuable item, his brute strength alone might not suffice for protection; the medallion on his person would only bring more danger. If it got stolen, the trouble would be immense. If it were ordinary, why would it be made of gold and engraved with clouds and a dragon? In ancient times, dragons symbolized the emperor—a token of power. Surely it had a significant purpose, though Li Dong himself could not fathom it.

Li Dong put the medallion away, sat up straight, and said to Luo Shixin, “Once your wounds heal, I’ll teach you how to defeat those who ride horses. Next time, fight back and knock them all down!”

Luo Shixin responded with delight, “Alright, alright! I want to tend both cattle and horses!”

As they conversed, the garrison troops arrived at the north gate of Zhangqiu. After reporting their names, the drawbridge was lowered and the city gates swung open, allowing Li Dong and his men to enter in single file.

Zhang Xutu received the news and came out from the city to greet them. Seeing that Li Dong’s troops had been drastically reduced, he frowned and asked, “Why has your force dwindled? Where are Du Fuwei and the others?” Zhang Xutu assumed Li Dong had suffered defeat, lost many soldiers, and that Du Fuwei and his companions had perished.

Li Dong quickly dismounted, bowed respectfully, and said, “My lord, please hear my account.” He then recounted in detail how, when Zhishi Lang attacked Zhangqiu, he had sent Du Fuwei to Licheng for reinforcements, how they encountered Zhang Junke on the way back, and how the county officer imprisoned them upon their return.

“In my opinion, the punishment carried out by the county officer was too hasty and severe. Regardless of whether they were garrison soldiers or mountain bandits, they performed a great deed in rescuing Zhangqiu from distress. This could have been an opportunity to recruit and reassure them to serve the court. Yet the county officer stubbornly believed that once a bandit, always condemned. Du Fuwei and the others were deeply disheartened; after defeating Zhishi Lang, they refused to return to the city.”

“The county officer was certainly wrong, but entering the mountains as a bandit is a grave offense. How do bandits sustain themselves? By plundering the people and passing merchants, do they not?” Zhang Xutu declared sternly, “Relay my exact words to them! They are given three months to surrender to Qi Prefecture. If they dare disturb the populace, I will lead the army to destroy them without mercy!”

Li Dong’s expression tightened as he replied, “I will remember your instructions, my lord. However… near Licheng, I received a young warrior…” As he spoke, Li Dong beckoned, summoning the frightened Luo Shixin, who stood aside, to come forward.

Zhang Xutu observed Luo Shixin’s thin, frail frame and his tender age, and asked Li Dong, “Who is this young lad?”

Li Dong answered, “He’s a cattle boy rescued from the soldiers of Zhishi Lang, with remarkable strength and unmatched courage.” Li Dong hoped Zhang Xutu would take him in, since he was stationed at Licheng and Luo Shixin lived there, so he could bring the boy home.

Zhang Xutu regarded Luo Shixin with grave seriousness. “Young man, are you skilled in riding? What weapons do you wield? Do you dare to go into battle?”

Luo Shixin shook his head at each question, finally replying, “I like tending cattle best!”

Zhang Xutu sighed and glanced at Li Dong.

Though he said nothing, Li Dong understood that Luo Shixin had been rejected—he simply didn’t qualify.

Zhang Xutu continued, “Lu Li’er still hasn’t appeared. When you pursued Zhishi Lang, did you see him?”

Li Dong’s heart clenched, instantly recalling the secret courtyard to which Du Fuwei had taken him. He said hurriedly, “My lord, please wait a moment—I shall go and inquire about their whereabouts.” Li Dong feared most that Zhishi Lang had abducted them, or that Xiaoling had discovered the secret place and killed them on the spot.

If his suspicion proved true, the next urgent matter was who would govern Zhangqiu. If they were still alive, the rest would be much easier to manage; Li Dong could proceed with his plans on three fronts. They absolutely must survive! With anxious urgency, Li Dong rushed to the secret courtyard, Luo Shixin close behind.