Chapter 9: Setting the Plan

It was called a feast, but in truth, it consisted of little more than coarse fare, supplemented by a bit of meat and some watered-down wine.

Li Gui sat at the head of the table, lifted his bowl, and shouted, "Those who sit here today are my brothers! We shall share in our fortunes, eat meat in great chunks, and drink wine by the bowlful! Cheers!"

With that, he drained his bowl in one gulp.

"Many thanks, Brother!" the men echoed, raising their own bowls and drinking heartily.

The wine was likely home-brewed and of wretched quality; it was sour and astringent, and Li Gui found it utterly unpalatable. Before leaving the city, he had brought along plenty of mutton and fine wine, far superior to what was served here. He had his men bring it out, but instead of sharing it, he kept it all for himself, devouring it with gusto.

*A pack of thieving scoundrels,* he thought, *who are you to call me brother? What kind of scum are you to stand on equal footing with me?*

The men caught the scent of the superior food and grew hungry, but they dared not show it, keeping their heads bowed as they chewed their meager portions. Though the pork was rank and gamey, it was at least meat, making it a hundred times better than their usual diet of husks and greens.

After stuffing himself and finishing all the provisions he had brought, Li Gui began to fret. There was food today, but what of tomorrow? Was he destined to spend his days here, eating coarse rice and vegetables so bland they could stifle a bird?

He leaned back in the master’s chair, stroking his belly, and asked casually, "What is the stronghold's usual business?"

Li Laoqi hurriedly set down his bowl and chopsticks, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and answered respectfully, "In reply to you, Brother, we have spies in all the nearby villages and towns. Whenever a merchant passes through, they send word. If the target is one we can handle, we swoop in and loot their goods, making a tidy profit."

"How often do you pull off such a job?"

"That is hard to say. When luck is with us, we might have one every two or three months; when it is not, a year might pass without a single one."

"And how much do you gain from such a haul? How long does it sustain the stronghold?"

"Each time, we might net a few hundred strings of cash. We trade that for grain, chickens, ducks, and piglets, which is enough to keep the stronghold going for half a year."

"A few hundred strings? A single peddler carries more than a hundred strings of goods, surely? Does this mean you only prey on lone travelers?"

"Large merchant caravans always travel with armed escorts; the stronghold cannot afford to provoke them. Besides, the goods we seize must be traded for gold and silver. The great masters in town drive a hard bargain, and they take the lion’s share of the profit."

Li Gui understood immediately. It was the same in every era—the middlemen were the ones who made the most money!

"That makes it simple."

Li Gui slapped his thigh. "Since that great master has swallowed so much of our money, we must make him spit it back out! Tomorrow, we go down the mountain, bind that master, and if he doesn't pay up, we’ll finish him off!"

"You cannot do that, Brother!" Li Laoqi was terrified and hastened to dissuade him. "You may not know this, but Master Li of Sagou Town is a local squire of great influence. He has connections in the imperial court, and even the magistrate must show him respect."

"Hmph!" Li Gui gave a cold, dismissive laugh. "I have killed corrupt officials before; why should I fear a mere squire?"

Li Laoqi, trembling, added, "Master Li is on good terms with many martial heroes of the underworld. The walls of his manor are thicker than those of the county seat, and he keeps many guards and retainers. It would be no easy task to take it. Furthermore, even here in the Yushan area, the leaders of all the other mountain strongholds take their orders from him. If we dare to move against him, I fear the surrounding strongholds will descend upon us together."

Only then did Li Gui learn that the mountain was called Yushan.

"There are other strongholds in the vicinity?"

"Brother, you jest. The surrounding mountains—Sushan, Penshan, Jinlong Mountain, Lianhua Mountain... which of them does not have a stronghold?"

"Among these, are there any formidable fighters?"

"I have heard of none."

"Very well. Since Master Li is so powerful, I shall spare him for now. Once I have clipped his wings, I will deal with him in due time!"

Li Laoqi sensed the malice in his voice and grew increasingly fearful, trembling as he asked, "What does Brother intend to do?"

"There are simply too many strongholds around here; they are a grave hindrance to our prosperity. I shall take our men and wipe them all out. If Yushan is the only stronghold for a hundred miles around, every merchant who passes will be mine for the taking."

Li Gui stood up and called out to the gathered thugs, "Brothers! Have you not had your fill of this wretched life of eating husks and greens? Do you want to get rich with me and eat meat at every meal?"

The drunken mob roared back, "We do!"

"Good! From tomorrow, we begin training. In a few days, we shall raze the surrounding strongholds! We will seize their gold and silver! We will seize their grain! We will seize their women!"

With each line Li Gui shouted, the lackeys echoed him.

At first, Li Gui had to lead them with slogans, but once their greed was ignited, the bandits grew rowdy and feverish. In an instant, the clamor was so loud it seemed ready to bring down the dilapidated hall. Li Laoqi huddled to the side like a shivering quail, not daring to utter a word.

The next morning, Li Gui rose early, washed, and after breakfast, summoned Li Laoqi to gather the men in the square. Li Gui waited for the time it takes to burn a stick of incense before all the bandits had finally assembled.

The men had shouted their slogans loudly yesterday, but now that they were sober, they were filled with regret. They were adept at bullying merchants, but when it came to clashing with other strongholds, they all turned cowardly. However, seeing Li Gui standing there, idly tapping his blade against the ground, none dared to speak, keeping their eyes fixed on the dirt.

"Brothers, rest assured. I am not one who disregards the lives of his men. When we attack these strongholds, I shall be the first to lead the charge. You have all seen my martial prowess; the so-called leaders of those strongholds are nothing but paper tigers. Furthermore, Li Laoqi, take all the gold and silver in the treasury, add what I brought yesterday, and take some men down the mountain to procure armor and weapons. With proper gear, you need not worry about casualties!"

Li Laoqi was frightened out of his wits and pleaded, "Brother, do not joke! Private possession of armor is equivalent to treason—it is a crime that warrants the execution of one's entire clan!"

Li Gui glared at him and cursed, "You fool! You are already a mountain bandit—what are you afraid of regarding the execution of your clan? When you choose a trade, you must love it; do not be half-hearted! Since you are no longer a law-abiding citizen, never look back! If you dare not even commit treason, why be a bandit at all? With such short-sightedness, you will never amount to much. It is said that there are three hundred and sixty trades, and one can become a master in any of them. How do you know we won't carve out a path to the imperial throne? Enough—since you are too spineless to handle this, I shall go with you myself."