Chapter Forty-Three: Going into Battle

Suddenly, chaos erupted on the street—chickens and dogs scattered, pandemonium reigned, and shopkeepers everywhere pleaded desperately with anyone they could, rushing to shutter their doors and bolt their windows. It was not the bandits of Mount Xindu they feared most, but rather the customers in their shops! They dreaded these opportunists more than the outlaws themselves. The bandits of Mount Xindu rarely targeted local establishments—not out of any code of honor or sudden pangs of conscience, but because the underworld was strictly territorial. Local gangs collected protection money from local businesses, while the Mount Xindu bandits made their living on the roads between Chang’an and Luoyang; to cross boundaries was forbidden. Otherwise, the moment a local hero registered his name at the barracks, that very name would be handed straight to the bandit chiefs of Mount Xindu.

Shopkeepers tried to persuade their customers to leave. The locals, shrewd and nimble, slipped away into alleyways as soon as they stepped outside. The visiting heroes from other regions, less thick-skinned, would at least step out onto the street, while the brazen ones shamelessly refused to leave the shop. If a shopkeeper pressed too much, he risked a beating.

Hiding inside was the right choice, for soon enough, confrontations broke out between the roving heroes in the street and the advancing bandits from Mount Xindu. Leading the charge was the dashing commander Sima Chang, known as “Flying Feather,” with thirty elite mounted archers. They advanced along the street toward the military camp, felling any heroes who dared block their way with a volley of arrows.

Sima Chang’s archery was unfailing—each arrow found its mark, anyone in its path would fall. Here, the difference between a band of undisciplined fighters and an organized military unit became apparent. Soldiers would gather around their highest-ranking officer, form ranks, and meet the enemy head-on. The street, being only so wide, would never allow thirty mounted bandits to rampage unchecked if faced with a proper military formation. But the heroes each fought their own battles, at best clustering with familiar faces to resist together, and were easily swept aside by Sima Chang’s men.

In the noodle shop where Feng Xiaobao was, the owner pleaded for them to leave. Cheng Boxi was itching for a fight, but Yang Chengxian calmly said, “Their momentum is fierce; it is unwise for us to face them head-on.”

Cheng Boxi understood this well enough. Feng Xiaobao ordered, “Raise the shields!” At once, his men set up defensive shields inside the shop, a dozen or so forming a tight barrier—not for battle, but simply to guard against arrows, which were the real threat here.

The shopkeeper, pleading a few more times, only succeeded in drawing a fierce glare from Cheng Boxi, who growled, “Say another word and you’ll be sent to Luoyang to make noodles for me for the rest of your days!” With no choice, the shopkeeper retreated. Fortunately, Sima Chang’s cavalry swept past in an instant and did not bother attacking the well-defended shop, sparing it from the chaos.

Cheng Boxi, ever eager, had picked up a bow, but Feng Xiaobao pressed his hand down—there was no need to draw attention before the real battle had begun.

A lone figure now stood in the middle of the street, his brows knitted in defiance against the onrushing Sima Chang. In his hand was a halberd, a golden crown atop his head, a red cape draped over shining armor—a striking figure, reminiscent of Lü Bu from the Three Kingdoms era. This was Lü Yingbu, the renowned “Little Lü Bu” of Chang’an. Sharing the same surname, he fancied himself Lü Bu’s heir, imitating his idol in all things. Now, blocking the road, he sought to display his own valor.

The outcome was inevitable—no one would indulge him in a duel. The cavalry unleashed a hail of arrows from horseback, one after another. Lü Yingbu, skilled as he was, managed to block most with his halberd, defending himself with all his might. Sima Chang’s troops, well-drilled, made sure even those passing by gave him their own special “attention.” Desperate, Lü Yingbu had no choice but to roar in frustration and step aside, his chance for glory lost, forced to watch the cavalry thunder past.

As the hoofbeats faded, Feng Xiaobao emerged from the shop. He watched the bandits’ backs as they made for the military camp. The center of the street was deserted; those outside hugged the walls for safety. Along the way, at least a dozen men lay dead or dying, their dress marking them as heroes felled by arrows—some still alive, twitching on the ground. They had come with dreams of fortune, only to see those dreams shattered in an instant.

Sima Chang’s cavalry, like a whirlwind, reached the gates of the camp. The gates were shut tight. Sima Chang raised his bow and, with a single arrow, shot down the “Tang” banner flying above the gatehouse. Shooting down a military banner may seem simple, but it takes years of skill to sever the rope holding a flag—especially from horseback, with the horse in motion and the rope swaying in the air. Only the finest archers in the army could accomplish such a feat.

A deafening roar erupted from the Mount Xindu bandits who had come along: “Mighty Sima King! Mighty Sima King! Mighty Sima King!” The cry rang out three times, and then, flaunting their prowess, they galloped away down another road.

Inside the camp, the heroes had mixed reactions to the bandits’ display—some were shaken, some fearful, others cautious. Among the largest groups was that of the Yellow Panther and Yellow Tiger brothers of Chang’an, who had fifty well-armed men. Infuriated that so few bandits dared approach, Yellow Panther shouted, “The enemy is upon us! Who will join my brother and me in battle?” His call was answered by Cheng An of the North Market in Luoyang, who declared, “These are true warriors—I must aid them!” He gathered twenty riders to join the brothers and together they flung open the gates to chase down Sima Chang.

After this turmoil, those outside the camp slowly returned, and Feng Xiaobao’s group rejoined the ranks. Soon, those who had set out in pursuit returned as well—no one missing, but their spirits crushed, as though the stock market had hit rock bottom.

Whispers and stares followed their return, for they were a sorry sight. Yellow Panther’s helmet was missing—or rather, could not fit back onto his head, which was now swollen with a massive lump. He was lucky; without the helmet, his skull might have been shattered. His brother, too, had lost his helmet, his eye ringed with bruises. Their armor had protected them better than most, but seven or eight of their men were not so fortunate, bearing wounds to their heads, shoulders, arms, and bodies—one man’s arm had even been broken.

Questioned, they revealed that while chasing Sima Chang, they had managed to block his arrows, suffering no harm, until they encountered the “Three-Handed General” Hong Xiaoshui. This female warrior was fierce—her flying daggers and stones struck without warning, sending twelve heroes reeling, each one wounded. Only by raising their small shields and advancing with great caution did Cheng An’s men manage to withstand a few more volleys, allowing Sima Chang and Hong Xiaoshui to retreat leisurely. Cheng An dared not pursue them further.

The Yellow Panther and Yellow Tiger, famed heroes both, had suffered a humiliating defeat. They did not share the details, but the others quickly understood: the Mount Xindu bandits were indeed formidable. Just two of their chiefs had left some of the land’s best heroes battered and humiliated.

After this incident, Sun Xingshen, Commandant of the Mianchi Provincial militia, realized he could delay no longer. He had hoped to wait for reinforcements, but now resolved to muster his forces that very afternoon and march out at dawn the next day.

By afternoon, the camp was filled with the sound of drums and horns, flags fluttered, and spirits rose, washing away the morning’s gloom. On the high platform in the center, Commandant Sun Xingshen, Left Guard Captain Chen Anzhi, Right Guard Captain Xu Wenfeng, and other prominent officers were all present. Invited to the stage were the Yellow Panther and Yellow Tiger—whose names had been specially marked by the Mount Xindu chiefs—as well as Cheng Chending, Tian Du, Wu Wo, Cheng An, Wang Kui, Tang Tianning, Lü Yingbu, and others—men of note, totaling thirty-five on their side, including Yang Chengxian.

Though young, Yang Chengxian’s family connections gave him standing—his father held real power in the imperial capital, making him a well-connected young official. Yet he dared not appear arrogant, always deferring to his elder brother’s orders in conversation.

Sun Xingshen addressed the assembly, thanking them for their service to the nation and the army, and declaring that with their aid, the bandits of Mount Xindu would be vanquished and brought to justice. After a speech full of grand rhetoric, he announced the reward: ten strings of cash for every bandit head taken. During the campaign, lodging was to be self-arranged, but food would be provided by the army.

Previously, both food and lodging were to be self-provided, but now, thanks to sponsorship from wealthy merchants—who had privately offered a thousand strings for the head of the chief bandit and eight hundred for those of the six other bandit leaders—there was a real incentive.

Right Guard Captain Xu Wenfeng then announced the organization of the forces: with some eight hundred outside volunteers, four battalions would be formed, each of two hundred men. The Yellow Panther and Yellow Tiger would command the first battalion, Cheng Chending and Tian Du the second, Wu Wo and Cheng An the third, and Wang Kui and Lü Yingbu the fourth. Feng Xiaobao and his thirty men were assigned to the fourth battalion. The title of battalion commander was largely honorary, meant to facilitate coordination between the authorities and the heroes.

Knowing these men were after both fame and profit, the militia leaders wasted no time on elaborate drills. Instead, they focused on marching in order, keeping the column disciplined; there was no need for combat training.

By around five in the afternoon, wine, roast meat, and flatbreads were distributed for a communal feast, allowing everyone to get acquainted and build camaraderie. Feng Xiaobao’s group, strong and well-equipped, had Yang Chengxian, son of a general, and Cheng Boxi, scion of a noble house, but they all looked to Feng Xiaobao as their leader. Thus, the prominent men—the Yellow Panther and Yellow Tiger, Cheng Chending, Tian Du, and others—made a point of befriending him.

Even Tang Tianning, who had previously tried to extort Feng Xiaobao, now approached awkwardly to apologize, pleading ignorance and asking forgiveness. Since Tang Tianning had done no real harm, Feng Xiaobao accepted his apology with a toast, and the matter was put to rest.

At dawn, the army set out. At the camp gates, steaming flatbreads and buns were handed out—free breakfast provided by the authorities. Feng Xiaobao’s group, besides receiving their rations, had also prepared smoked meat, ensuring they would have strength for battle.

The four battalions, together with two reserve militia units, totaled twelve hundred men. The column marched westward along the official road. During the Tang dynasty, the military was strictly regulated—any deployment of more than ten men required an imperial edict and a bronze tally, except in emergencies. This expedition had received central approval, with Right Guard Captain Xu Wenfeng leading.

Feng Xiaobao’s fourth battalion marched near the rear, with the regular soldiers behind them. Observing these provincial troops, Feng Xiaobao couldn’t help but think their training and equipment fell short of his own household retainers.

The militia system of the Sui and Tang dynasties combined farming and soldiery—men were farmers at home and soldiers in war, providing their own gear, much like later “militias.” They were no match for the household troops of great clans in terms of quality, but their organization and discipline surpassed those of freelance heroes. The household troops were few but elite, excelling in single combat.

After traveling more than thirty miles, they reached “Floodgate Gorge”—a mountain pass notorious for flash floods during rain. The terrain was such that the main road bent from south to north, with high ground to the east and a line of low hills to the north. At the southern end of the road, a cliff loomed—an ideal place for an ambush.

Naturally, the Mount Xindu chiefs had selected this spot. Two hundred bandits hid along the northern hills, led by “Snake Spear” Zhang Yongping and “Twin Blades” Tian Anding. A hundred archers under Sima Chang waited on the eastern high ground, with fifty mounted archers under “Three-Handed General” Hong Xiaoshui ready to cover a retreat.

The plan was clear: when the enemy entered the kill zone, Sima Chang’s archers would unleash a barrage to throw their ranks into chaos. Then Zhang Yongping and Tian Anding would lead a charge, before withdrawing under Hong Xiaoshui’s covering fire.

Unwittingly, Feng Xiaobao’s group marched right into the ambush…