Chapter 12: Storming the Mountain

This was Li Yongfang’s spy, Li Xiancheng. He was originally acquainted with Bi Mazi and knew what kind of man Bi was. After ascending the mountain, he laid out Li Yongfang’s terms. Upon hearing that he could be appointed as a guerrilla general, Bi Mazi’s heart was immediately stirred. His family had been commoners for nine generations, so naturally, he coveted the title of general. Thus, the two quickly reached an agreement.

“But we have too few men,” Bi Mazi said. “Only about a dozen are truly loyal. Our entire Great Sword Peak has just five hundred men, and they might not even listen to me. If I ask them to kill Yang San, they definitely won’t obey.”

Li Xiancheng smiled darkly. “Bi General, you’re overthinking it. Do you think everyone supports Yang San and wants to fight against the Jin to the very end? No. They simply don’t know what to do. When Yang San calls the shots, everyone follows like the wind follows the scenery. If you kill Yang San and then say you want to lead everyone down a better path, they will listen to you too.”

Bi Mazi was doubtful. Li Xiancheng continued, “All you need is to find an opportunity to get rid of Yang San, and you will naturally become the new leader. With the Jin’s support, what is there to fear?”

Bi Mazi asked, “There has to be a reason to do away with Yang San, right? Do you have a good plan, Mr. Li?”

Li Xiancheng smiled, “The reason is easy. Just say Yang San wanted to use the people of the Thirteen Mountains to seek glory and rewards, ignoring the strong Jin troops below. He intended to use everyone’s blood to pave his own path to promotion. Everyone will be glad to see you take him down in a fight.”

Bi Mazi thought it over carefully. Indeed, it was a good reason. He then had Bi San call in his loyal followers.

Soon, fifteen trusted men entered the room, all aware of Li Xiancheng’s presence. Including Li’s two attendants, there were nineteen in total.

Bi Mazi said, “Tomorrow, I plan to eliminate Yang San and Liu Boze. Are you willing to stand with me through this?”

The group answered in unison, “We are willing to stand and fall with Brother Bi.”

Bi Mazi said, “I know you are all good brothers. To unite everyone’s hearts, let’s shave our heads today.”

This time, the men were not unanimous in agreement. Bi San cast a gloomy glance around and said, “Isn’t my brother’s suggestion a good one? If anyone is still wavering, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Now the silent ones could no longer remain quiet. One loyalist said, “Shaving our heads is no problem, but we worry that if Yang San sees it, he will be on guard, making it harder to overthrow him.” Several others nodded in agreement.

Bi Mazi smiled. “No need to worry about that. Mr. Li shaved his head too, but no one notices.”

They looked to Li Xiancheng, who smiled and removed his hat. Sure enough, his hair was completely shaved around, leaving only a short, ugly rat’s tail at the back. Li put his hat back on and said, “As long as you wear a hat or headscarf, no one will see.”

With no other option, they all shaved their heads. Some were reluctant, but having boarded this ship, there was no turning back.

They then discussed the plan for the next day. Bi San said, “Tomorrow is Yang San’s routine inspection day. Usually, only he and Liu Boze, with two guards, go out. If we kill Yang San, and Liu Boze lacks martial skills, it will be simple.”

Li Xiancheng said, “After killing Yang San, say he wanted to sacrifice everyone’s lives to promote himself, rallying the hearts of those on Great Sword Peak. This will throw the Thirteen Mountains into chaos. I will send people to contact Li Efu. Then, attacking from inside and outside, we can crush them in one swift strike.”

With plans settled, everyone dispersed to prepare. The next morning, Yang San and Liu Boze, accompanied by two guards, began their five-day routine inspection of the peaks. Yang San walked anxiously beside Liu Boze, who comforted him, “We’ve sent a message to Commander Wang. He will surely send help.”

Yang San said, “Brother Liu, don’t comfort me. We both know officials in the court only care about themselves. Whether anyone will come to our aid is uncertain.”

Liu Boze, familiar with the faces of Liaodong officials, knew Yang San’s worries were not unfounded. Still, he tried to reassure him. “A new emperor has ascended. There must be new policies. I believe some in the court have sympathy for the people of Liaodong.”

The two continued their patrol until arriving at Great Sword Peak, where Bi Mazi had arranged ten skilled loyalists inside a shed, led by Bi San, ready to strike down Yang San.

Standing outside the shed, Bi Mazi greeted them, “Brother San, you personally inspect every time. You must be tired. Please come in for some tea.”

Yang San smiled, “Brothers suffer with me, and I already feel guilty. Brother Bi, saying that makes it worse. No tea for me — I’ll just watch from here.”

Bi Mazi almost slapped himself for his clumsy words. He smiled, “There are matters on Great Sword Peak that need your guidance. Please, come inside.”

Hearing this, Yang San stepped into the shed. Bi Mazi secretly rejoiced but dared not speak further. Just as they were about to enter, a commotion arose from below the peak.

Yang San was startled and turned, leaping outside. “What’s going on?”

A sentinel replied, “Hero Yang, it seems the government troops and the Jiannu are fighting below, under the main peak.”

Yang San shouted, “Heighten guard! Beware of another Jiannu plot. I’ll go to the main peak. Liu Military Advisor, come here quickly.”

Bi Mazi cursed Li Yongfang and the Ming army’s ancestors under his breath. They were so close — if they had delayed a moment longer, they might have died.

Yang San reached the main peak and saw the lively battle below. It turned out Zhao Shuijiao had tried to send men up the mountain to warn the Thirteen Mountains forces, unaware of the distribution of the Later Jin’s troops. The two servants he sent happened to take the main peak path, where Li Yongfang’s main force was stationed, heavily guarded and quickly detected.

Zhao Shuijiao, unwilling to back down, turned the warning mission into a full assault. He charged forward with his men while Li Chengxian shielded his flank.

Li Yongfang’s troops had long been engaged with the Thirteen Mountains forces on the mountain, leaving fewer men below. Caught unprepared, the Jin army soon gained the upper hand, and the Later Jin Han troops began to falter.

Seeing the unfavorable situation, Li Yongfang sent for aid from the Later Jin’s supervising officer, Aqiuxang.

Aqiuxang said to the messenger, “Tell Li Yongfang this useless dog of a talent to hold the line for now. Our Jin troops will arrive soon.”