Chapter Six: A Land of Heroes Breeds Heroes

Pei Min, Yan Gaoqing, and Yuan Lüqian had eaten and drunk their fill at the inn, intending to wait there for Lei Zhen’s return. Yet as mealtime passed, the inn grew emptier and colder, a chill settling into the air. The northern cold descended early; though it was only October, an inexplicable coolness crept in, leaving people uncomfortable.

Pei Min fared better than the others—half a man of martial practice, his vigor surpassed that of ordinary scholars. Yan Gaoqing and Yuan Lüqian were not so fortunate. Especially Yan Gaoqing, who had lived for years in Guanzhong, where the climate was warmer and the seasons clear; here, the local air did not agree with him, and the rising chill made him shiver repeatedly.

Seeing this, Pei Min asked the innkeeper for three stools, so the three of them could sit outside in the sun, passing the time with idle conversation.

Yet Pei Min’s thoughts kept circling around the name “Lei Zhen.” The name was so familiar; he was certain he had encountered it somewhere before, but the memory eluded him, leaving him distracted.

Yan Gaoqing noticed his odd demeanor and laughed, “Pei, are you worried that our hero may never return?”

Pei Min shook his head. “Not that. It’s just, his name is so familiar, yet I can’t recall where I heard it.”

Yuan Lüqian laughed. “Perhaps it’s because of ‘Lei Zhenzi.’ I, too, found the name familiar when I first heard it. Think about it—he’s only one character short of the legendary Lei Zhenzi.” The “Investiture of the Gods” was written by the Ming-era Daoist Lu Xixing, but it compiled many folk legends and myths; even in Tang times, there were already tales of Lei Zhenzi.

Unable to think of a better explanation, Pei Min accepted this reasoning.

After waiting about an hour and a half, Yuan Lüqian suddenly stared ahead, mouth agape. “He—he’s fighting his way back!”

Pei Min, puzzled, turned to look. At the sight, he too was dumbstruck and finally understood why Yuan had used the word “fighting.” Lei Zhen truly looked as though he’d fought his way back: high atop his horse, he swung two massive iron hammers, striking left and right with great vigor. Bystanders, seeing this madman appear on the street, scattered in terror.

The little dun horse was swift, and in a blink, Lei Zhen had “charged” near. When still ten paces away from Pei Min, Lei Zhen pulled his horse to a halt, leapt down, tossed the hammers to the ground, strode forward, and fell to his knees in a grand bow. “Benefactor, please accept my gratitude!”

It all happened so suddenly!

Pei Min’s gaze lingered on the iron hammers. When they hit the ground, he actually felt a slight tremor underfoot—they were solid through and through, each weighing at least fifty or sixty pounds. That such hammers could be wielded so nimbly from horseback, striking left and right as if on level ground—there was no truer warrior. How could a man of such prowess go unrecorded in history?

That thought flashed through his mind, but before he could ponder further, Lei Zhen was already kneeling, about to kowtow.

Pei Min reacted swiftly, dropping to one knee and reaching out to support him. But Lei Zhen’s strength was beyond compare—Pei’s hands felt as though they met an irresistible wave, his own force dissolving into nothing. Lei Zhen managed to bow despite Pei Min’s attempt to stop him, then rose and said, “Had you not lent me your fine horse, my mother might have already passed away. Such a debt, even if I were to break my body and bones, would be hard to repay.”

It turned out Lei Zhen’s mother had fallen while walking in their house that day. For the elderly, such accidents are most dangerous—once fallen, they often cannot rise again. Thankfully, neighbors in the village were as close as family. Hearing the commotion, the old lady next door carried his mother to bed and sent for help. Lei Zhen rode to find the doctor, bringing him back double-quick.

The doctor’s skill stabilized her condition and explained the danger: her fall had stirred up an old ailment. If not treated in time, no medicine would have availed. Lei Zhen lived at the edge of the village, the doctor at the opposite end. Without Pei Min’s fine horse, the trip there and back would have taken much longer—his mother likely could not have lasted that long.

Hearing this, Pei Min felt a quiet joy. He had not expected that a casual good deed could save a life. He resolved that, in the future, if he could lend a hand with small favors, he would do so without hesitation—after all, what did it cost him? Smiling, he said, “Lei, you’re too polite. You treated me to a meal, I lent you my horse—give and take. Besides, it’s only right for us to help each other.”

He paused, then asked, “But, Lei, you seem a decent and courteous man—why, then, did you ride down the main street, hammering away and causing such a stir?”

Lei Zhen lowered his head, a bit embarrassed. “Forgive me, benefactor. I’ve trained with horse and hammer since childhood, but my family is poor. I’ve never been able to afford a good horse, so I usually practice on a nag. My build is large, and my hammers together weigh nearly three hundred pounds. Even to carry me is a burden for an ordinary horse, let alone with the hammers. So I use hollow wooden hammers to train—light as a feather, easy to wield. But your horse is truly extraordinary. Earlier, it carried both me and the doctor as if nothing, swift as the wind. I thought, why not take this chance to try my real hammers? But remembering you said you were in a hurry, I didn’t dare delay. So I hurried back, swinging the hammers to save time. Rest assured, I was careful not to cause any real trouble—though I startled a few, no harm was done.”

Pei Min couldn’t help but laugh at the explanation.

Yan Gaoqing and Yuan Lüqian chimed in, “Lei, you are a true warrior!”

After a moment’s thought, Pei Min said, “I’m well-acquainted with the Grand Commander of Youzhou. I could recommend you to him—he’s eager for talent and lacks just such a hero as yourself. With your skills, not to mention one fine horse, even ten would be no problem.”

Lei Zhen was tempted, but shook his head. “I’m grateful for your kindness, but my mother is still bedridden. As her son, how could I abandon her for my own advancement? I will serve her to the end—other matters can wait.”

Confucian ethics prize filial piety above all; Lei Zhen’s words were instantly approved by Yan Gaoqing and Yuan Lüqian.

Especially Yuan Lüqian, who had lost his parents young—he sighed, “That’s only right.”

Pei Min, however, was uncomfortable with being addressed as “benefactor” over and over. “My name is Pei Min. These two are my dear friends, Yan Gaoqing and Yuan Lüqian. Lei, don’t call me ‘benefactor’—it feels strange. Just use my name.”

But Lei Zhen would not yield. Bowing deeply, he said, “My mother is waiting for me at home, so I must take my leave. Your kindness today, I will never forget. Farewell!” With that, he picked up both iron hammers, slung them over his shoulders, and strode off, bold and vigorous.

Pei Min watched his retreating figure, still pondering who he might be. Lei was not an uncommon surname, but famous Leis in history were few. In this era, only one came to mind—Lei Wanchun!

Suddenly, Pei Min understood, slapping his forehead. Truly, a land of heroes breeds heroes.