Taiping Dao at the end of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 58 Brother Peng, please let me cross the river today, and I will surely repay you handsomely in the future!

"Boom! Whoosh..."

The winter snow has melted, and the third phase of the "Rain Water" solar term has passed. Grasses and trees sprout in the fields, and winter wheat turns green again. When the first rumble of thunder echoes across the plains of Yanzhou, the hibernating insects are startled and emerge—this marks the arrival of "Awakening of Insects."
"Zhe" means to hibernate or hide. It's not just insects that hibernate in their nests during winter; bears, fish, bats, and rats also hibernate. And of course, humans too.

The struggle between the powerful clans and aristocratic families of Yanzhou erupted like a thunderclap in spring. This thunderclap struck Chengshi County, forcing the previously dormant Li family, like startled wild beasts, to emerge from their manorous lair. And once they appeared, they were nothing more than wild boars, somewhere between bears and rats, sturdy and robust in packs.

"Giddy up! Giddy up!..."

A group of over a hundred people from the Li clan, pulling eight heavily laden horse-drawn carriages and a prison cart, departed from their manor outside Chengshi County, heading south towards Chengwu. At the head of the group, a brownish-blue triangular flag was displayed, adorned with two water ripples. The former represented "private troops and retainers," while the latter represented the "Dayeze Li clan."

At present, from the imperial border troops and the Luoyang imperial guards to the armies of various powerful families, very few carry a large square banner with the general's surname on it. Firstly, literacy rates are low, and soldiers cannot distinguish the characters written on it. Secondly, openly writing one's surname on a military banner is too ostentatious and arrogant, clearly transgressing Han law. At least, before the world descends into chaos, no family dares to do so.

"Whoosh~ Whoosh!"

The pennants fluttered in the wind; the wind had been strong these past few days, and there had been thunderstorms at night, making it difficult to sleep. Li Qian, the head of the Li family, personally rode a large horse, clad in armor and carrying a sword, leading the procession.

Li Qian was around forty years old, with a cold and rugged appearance and very sharp, narrow eyes. Although he could not hide his fatigue, as he rode around and looked at the elite troops of his own troops, he still felt a sense of generosity and heroism.

These one hundred elite soldiers, each clad in leather armor and carrying iron swords, moved with impeccable discipline and military bearing. They were all trusted members of the Li family, entrusted with their lives, and comprised primarily of family members!

“Father! How many powerful families in Yanzhou can field such a large and elite force as we can? With these hundred elite soldiers at our disposal, even if we are surrounded by three hundred soldiers from various prefectures and kingdoms, we can protect you and break through the encirclement!”

A young man with his hair tied up rode forward. He was only seventeen or eighteen years old, but he appeared brave and valiant. He was Li Qian's eldest son, Li Zheng. He personally held up the triangular flag, looked at the orderly ranks of the family's private soldiers, and then looked at the eight carts of valuables. He couldn't help but say to Li Qian.

“Father! This Duan family, the powerful eunuch clan, is truly going too far! If my Li family were to raise an army, with thousands of able-bodied men from our estates, we could reach their doorstep in less than two days! And then, in a single day! In just one day, we could breach their estate and drag out that wicked eunuch. I believe the Han dynasty doesn't have many years left; rumors are spreading everywhere that the Han is doomed…”

"You brat! Shut up! What kind of blasphemous nonsense are you spouting?! It's outrageous and indecent!"

Hearing his son's nonsense, Li Qian's face turned pale. He pulled out his riding whip and lashed it at Li Zheng, a real, hard lash! Caught off guard, Li Zheng took the two blows without warning and cried out in pain.

"Father, please don't hit me! Please don't hit me! I'm not talking nonsense, I'm speaking from the heart! In this Han Dynasty, eunuchs swagger around, bullying us good people... Ugh!!"

"How dare you spout such nonsense!!"

In front of all the family members, Li Qian lashed Li Zheng twice more before secretly loosening his grip. This round of whipping only made Li Zheng cry out in pain, but it didn't leave any injuries.

Can beating one's own son be compared to beating those offending tenant farmers, farmhands, or troublesome bandits? The former is merely a warning, while the latter is meant to be beaten to death!
"Do you feel the pain now?! When you get to the Duan family manor, you must bow your head respectfully, keep your mouth shut, and not utter a single word! Otherwise, you will be bringing harm to my Li family!"

Li Qian reprimanded his eldest son sternly, but seeing that the son remained silent and still unconvinced, he had no choice but to lower his voice and continue.

"You fool! Even if my Li family can gather a thousand or so people, so what? The Duan family hides in Chengwu County, and three hundred soldiers from the prefectures and kingdoms mobilize the able-bodied men in the city to defend it. Can a thousand people take it down? And even if we break through the Duan family manor and take Chengwu County, what good will it do? Can you really go to Luoyang all by yourself?"

“Once we are forced to take action and bear the name of traitors, we will face the punitive expedition of the imperial army! There is no need for an army of thousands or tens of thousands, or even just a captain leading a unit of eight hundred men... With strong bows and crossbows, iron armor and long spears, they can easily wipe us out and destroy the family fortune that three generations of my Li family have built up!”

"In this thirteen provinces, with hundreds of prefectures and thousands of counties, there are countless powerful figures like us! You believe those so-called country shamans who say the Han Dynasty is doomed? I only see the imperial army marching west to conquer the Western Qiang, south to subdue the Southern Yi, and fighting fiercely with the Hu people in the north! How dare we offend the majesty of the imperial court and the prestige of the Ten Attendants? Do you think you are a famous scholar-official?"

"Take the powerful Duan family, for example. Lord Duan sits high in the Luoyang court, and his clan openly buys and sells official positions and spends money to clear their names. Which family in Yanzhou doesn't send money to their door? They can wipe away our past crimes with a stroke of their pen, and they can also pin new, serious crimes on us with the same stroke of their pen!"

"Take the Cheng family, for example. They were clearly a prominent family in the county, and the head of the family was renowned, yet they couldn't even escape. After a final round of interrogation and forced confessions, the Cheng family was directly charged with treason, and all the male members were executed, their heads hanging on the city gate..."

"Zheng'er, do you also want hundreds of members of my Li clan to end up like this?!"

"."

Hearing this stern reprimand, young Li Zheng's face turned pale and then red. He fell silent for a moment, even lowering the triangular flag in his hand. After a while, he lowered his head, put away his ignorant arrogance, suppressed his anger at the Duan family, and whispered.

“Father, I understand! When we arrive at the Duan family manor, I will bow my head respectfully.”

"Hmm! Hey!"

Li Qian stared at his eldest son for a moment, then sighed. The group continued south in this somber atmosphere, the carriages and prison carts creaking and groaning. After half a day of this journey, the two scouts who had been exploring ahead suddenly rushed back, their voices urgent.

"Master! Master! A cavalry unit has appeared ahead! There are nearly thirty riders!"

"What? A cavalry unit of thirty riders? In Jiyin County, what powerful family could possibly field thirty riders at once? Could it be... Giddy up!"

Li Qian frowned and personally rode his horse to the front to scout. He saw a cavalry unit stopped two miles ahead, watching them intently. He cautiously led his three riders closer, prepared to retreat at any moment, and shouted.

"Warriors ahead, what tribe do you belong to? By whose orders have you come here?"

"We are here on the orders of our lord. Do not ask any questions; it is none of your business!"

From a distance, it appeared to be a tall young man speaking. In his hand, the young man also held a triangular flag, but it was a black vassal flag with cloud patterns around it, clearly much more prestigious than the Li family's blue-brown flag.

"Hmm? The lord's order? The banner of a powerful clan?"

Upon hearing the reply from the other side and seeing their black banner, Li Qian's pupils constricted. He dared not approach further, but instead frowned and observed the surroundings. Among these nearly thirty riders, each was a tall, burly man clad in armor, wielding a long, spear-like iron staff, exuding a fierce aura, and likely all of them had seen blood.

And who in Jiyin County could field such an elite cavalry force, and even send them here to keep an eye on them?
"."

An answer came to mind, causing Li Qian's heart to sink at first, then fill with even more eagerness. He glanced at Li Zheng beside him, noticing his son's tense expression, and said in a deep voice.

"Did you see it?"

"Father, I see them. Where did this cavalry come from?"

"Hmm, it's very likely that it's someone from the Duan family, sent to keep an eye on us."

Li Qian pondered for a moment, then gave the instructions.

"However, even I'm not sure. Just in case, go and ask Cheng Yan! He said before that he was ambushed by Duan's cavalry when he fled the city... Go and ask him for the details!"

"Yes, Father!" Li Zheng rode back quickly, and in just a few breaths, he reached Cheng Yan's prison cart. He drew his whip and lashed the wooden cart hard, frightening the boy inside into curling up in a ball, looking over in terror. Then, he shouted and cursed, asking with a cold laugh.

"Cheng Yan! I ask you! On the night your father and brother lost their heads, did the Duan family also send cavalry, carrying long iron rods? How many of them were there?"

"Ah, I...I don't know...I don't know anything! Let me go! Please let me go!"

"Crack! Crack!"

"Ah! Waaah!"

Two lashes struck, and Cheng Yan let out a scream, trembling in the prison cart, crying with snot and tears streaming down his face.

"I really don't remember! I've forgotten everything! Please don't hit me! Please don't put me in the water..."

"Still not answering?! *Slap!*"

"Waaah... Father, brother..."

"answer!"

"Waaah... Yes! Everything! There's an iron staff, and lots of vicious people..."

"Crack! Crack!"

Li Zheng slapped him a few more times to vent his anger. Then, he frowned, looking at this jinx who had brought disaster to the Li family and harmed them. Looking at the foolish, cowardly man who could only cry, he couldn't help but spit on the man's face.

"Bah! You spineless coward. You're as timid as a chicken or a pig, you should be cooked!"

After finishing his rant, Li Zheng rode his horse back to Li Qian's side and repeated Cheng Yan's incoherent answers.

"... "

Upon hearing this answer, Li Qian frowned and remained silent. He knew that this eldest son of the Cheng family had been living a miserable life since being imprisoned these past few days.

From the elders of the Li clan to his son Li Zheng, everyone considered Cheng Yan a "jinx" who had brought ruin to the Li clan, and they sought opportunities to beat and humiliate him almost daily. He stopped the elders, saying not to leave any obvious wounds, but this turned into a torture by soaking him in water. If the Duan family hadn't specifically requested that he be killed alive, the boy would have been silenced long ago.

This torment serves two purposes: first, to vent their resentment over the sudden annihilation of their clan; and second, because many elders had previously treated this noble son well, and had spoken recklessly, saying things they shouldn't have. Now, fearing that the Duan family might overhear them during interrogation, they wanted to render the boy half-mad and half-foolish.

"Alas! The foundation of my Li family is ultimately too shallow. Although the entire clan works together, we lack the family rules and regulations of a great clan! Some things should not have been heard by this young guest..."

Thinking of this, Li Qian, the head of the Li family, sighed again. The Li family was a powerful clan in the village, and the children of the clan did not study poetry and books. They spent most of their time in the countryside, dealing with bandits and unruly people, which naturally led to their "crude and violent" appearance. His secret contact with the Man family of Shanyang was not only to get closer to the gentry, but also to allow the children of his clan to receive an education.

"May the Emperor of the Eastern Peak protect us! If my Li clan can escape this calamity, we must secretly ask the teachers of the Man clan to instruct the younger members of the clan! For example, my younger brother's four-year-old child is named 'Dian,' meaning he should respect teachers and value the Way, and read more classic texts. We need to find a teacher to enlighten this child..."

A jumble of thoughts flashed through his mind, like clouds and mist, impossible to grasp, and the future remained unclear. The Li family's group continued south, with an "unknown cavalry" following leisurely at a distance of two or three miles.

Li Qian sent scouts to inquire, but the other side stopped answering, only brandishing their long weapons as a warning. Whenever the entire group tried to approach, the other side would use their horses' speed to retreat. This blatant, close surveillance made Li's group very uncomfortable and under great pressure. However, it also seemed to further indicate the origin of this cavalry.

"Tonight we will camp on the high ground of the hillside! Everyone be on high alert, and set up both visible and hidden sentries! Weapons must be on your person at all times, and armor must be worn at all times!"

It was a difficult night. The Li family's group was on high alert, and only half of them were able to sleep soundly. The next day, everyone set off again, looking exhausted and their morale significantly lower. Meanwhile, the cavalry that had disappeared overnight reappeared in the morning, continuing to trail behind.

"Bah! These Duan family hounds are eyeing our backsides like wolves!"

"Zheng'er! Don't worry about them, just let them keep an eye on us! This is probably the Duan family's arrangement, keeping a close eye on our journey... The Si River is just ahead. After we cross the Si River, it will take another day and a half to reach the Duan family's manor!"

Li Qian's face was also pale. He hadn't slept a wink all night, trying to guess Duan's attitude and how he would handle the situation. After all, he was getting on in years. Although he still looked brave and fierce, his energy and spirit weren't what those of younger men possessed. He hadn't slept well for the past few days, his head was a bit foggy, and he wasn't as sharp as before.

After traveling for half a day, the group finally arrived in Sishui in the afternoon. There was only one ferry crossing, with a dozen or so small boats moored there, each carrying three or four fishermen.

"A dozen or so small boats, all full of people?!"

"Warning! Watch out!"

At Li Qian's command, over a hundred Li clan soldiers quickly formed a battle formation. About a third took out bows and arrows, while the rest took swords and shields, forming a line with shields in front and bows behind, warily watching the boats on the Sishui River.

"Are those men on the boat the brothers from Onozawa?!"

"I am Li Qian! Let your leader come out and answer!"

"Haha! Li Qian, so you've finally had a day when you're all humiliated and have to kowtow to others to beg for forgiveness?"

Upon hearing these two questions, a man stepped out of the fishing boat, took off his straw hat, and revealed a bold and imposing dark face.

Li Qian, mounted on his horse, observed carefully from two hundred paces away. He estimated the number of sixty water pirates, counted out dozens of spears and harpoons, and then laughed.

"Isn't this Brother Peng from Da Ye Ze? Why have you come all this way to see me off? No need for that. Please make way for me, Li Shi, to cross the river!"

"Haha! Brother Li, we're old friends! We heard you were going to cross the river, so we came here specifically to help you transport your carriages, horses, and money! What, are you afraid to get on our boat?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qian narrowed his eyes, and his smile gradually faded. He scrutinized Peng Kui for a while, watching the other man standing on the boat with an air of confidence, and then smiled faintly.

"Brothers of Onozawa, you need not trouble yourselves with my Li family's men! We will cross the river ourselves and will not need your boats. Please keep your distance to avoid any misunderstandings or fighting..."

"Of course, to express our gratitude for your farewell, the Li family will also give you a return gift!"

"Someone, bring a box containing 100,000 coins and present it to Brother Peng!"

"The Eastern Peak Emperor is in the east! Brother Peng, please let me cross the river today! When I return in the future, I, Li, will repay you handsomely!"

(End of this chapter)