Chapter Six: Learning the Rules

The commander, a man with a potbelly, interrupted Li Yan without a hint of concern. "I thought it was something urgent! Leader Li, who doesn't know that Liu Zeqing is a coward? We just need to rush him and fight; why bother making me come all this way? What’s all this talk about 'missions' and 'rectification'? Is it really worth such a fuss?"

The potbellied commander started it, and the others chimed in. "Exactly! I thought it was something important; it just woke me from my nap."

"Leader, I know we're going to war. If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."

...

Though interrupted, Li Yan remained pleasant, smiling as he watched the group and listened to their increasingly brazen remarks.

Suddenly, a female soldier approached Red Maiden, who stood to the side, and whispered something in her ear. Upon hearing this, Red Maiden stood up abruptly, glaring at the commanders before fixing her gaze on Li Yan.

Seeing this, Li Yan offered a regretful bow to Red Maiden. "Red Maiden, I, Li Yan, failed to discipline my subordinates, and the innocent people of this city have suffered. Please, give me a chance to make it right."

Red Maiden pondered for a moment, then sat back down, saying sullenly, "I will listen to you this once."

Li Yan turned back to the commanders with a gentle smile. "In my time, I have met many chivalrous knights and outlaws of the greenwood. Whenever we shared drinks, everyone claimed they were acting on behalf of Heaven. Whenever we spoke of corrupt officials oppressing the people and plundering their wealth, everyone was filled with righteous indignation, wishing they could kill the evildoers on the spot. Qin Daluo, I know you were a famous hero in the greenwood before you joined our rebel army. You looked down on those who robbed and bullied the common folk. Even when you did 'work,' you targeted only the wealthy clans, never the innocent. Isn't that right?"

The man called Qin Daluo was none other than the potbellied commander.

Li Yan looked at Qin Daluo, his expression gradually growing stern. "But now, I see you have become the very thing you hated most! You spared the Qi family, a major clan in Dongming City, because they gave you a woman. Yet, the soldiers under your command have been ravaging the wives and daughters of the common people!"

Qin Daluo’s face turned shades of blue and purple. He wanted to lash out, but seeing Red Maiden’s cold, silent stare, he suddenly remembered something and dared not speak.

The other commanders, recalling their recent actions and seeing that Red Maiden was on the verge of erupting, fell into a heavy silence.

Red Maiden watched Li Yan’s rambling. While she felt his logic was sound, she found his lecture tedious. What were these so-called heroes of the greenwood if not just thieves with a better name? Moralizing to them was useless. These men were hardened scoundrels; if Confucian teachings worked, why would one ever need the executioner’s blade?

Noticing this, Li Yan looked toward the door at a man bowing in the distance, then smiled. "Very well. Today, I am going to tell you how we shall rectify this."

"Li Nian! Bring in the heads of the soldiers who raped, plundered, and broke into homes today!"

As Li Yan spoke, he flicked his robe and drew the long blade at his waist. The sword was decorated in an ancient, simple style, with a handle that glowed a faint, dark red. Qin Daluo and the others changed color instantly. All of them were experienced veterans of the battlefield; how could they not recognize a blade that had tasted blood—and a great deal of it?

"Is... is this a trap?"

"Dammit, should we fight our way out?"

"I... I haven't had my fill of those young women yet... I have to fight, I must..."

Just as they struggled with their thoughts, a large man strode in, followed by others pulling a cart. Upon reaching the door, the cart was tipped over.

*Clatter, clatter...*

The men in the room looked at the objects on the floor, their pupils shrinking in unison.

"Leader, what is the meaning of this? This was my nephew! He followed me for two years; he didn't die at the hands of the government troops, only to die at yours?!"

Suddenly, an older commander stood up, his eyes wide as he stared at a head on the floor, its expression frozen in bitter resentment. As he rose, two other commanders stood with him, their hands resting on their own blades.

Li Yan had actually brought over a dozen heads! And among them were indeed the kin of these very commanders.

Qin Daluo looked down and spotted a familiar face—it was one of the sentry commanders under his own command!

Now, the other rebel leaders also recognized their own men—their confidants or their kin—among the pile. Everyone was struck with shock and rage, glaring at Li Yan in unison.

But Li Yan, indifferent to their hostile glares, said, "You are the commanders assigned to me by the Rebel King. You think that because he is not here, you can do whatever you please. If you think that, you are sorely mistaken! In this army, I, Li Yan, am in charge. I am your commander! As long as you are under my command, you will obey my orders and follow my rules!"

"My rule is this: those who rape and plunder shall be beheaded!" Li Yan surveyed the room with a murderous aura. The sight of the rolling heads combined with his presence caused the temperature in the room to plummet.

The air grew thick with gunpowder. Red Maiden narrowed her phoenix eyes, sensing that the situation was on the verge of violence. Several female soldiers near her had already drawn their blades, moving closer to her side.

"Of course, I know some of you do not recognize my authority or my rules." Li Yan’s voice suddenly softened, his tone becoming unusually gentle.

The men exchanged glances and relaxed slightly, clearly believing Li Yan was about to back down.

Unexpectedly, Li Yan slammed his blade onto the table with a deafening *thud* and roared like thunder: "If that is the case, if you have the guts to defy my orders, then come and face my blade! I won't bully you today. Whoever refuses to submit, come and fight! Whoever survives has the right to be defiant!"

The room fell into an eerie, absolute silence. When Li Yan was truly angry, not a single person in the capital dared to challenge him.

Seeing this, Red Maiden simply stood up and walked away. A man of iron will cannot be swayed; if these men had truly dared to resist, they would have attacked before Li Yan even finished his speech. Now that Li Yan had unleashed his fury, their morale had completely collapsed. Even if they had a shred of courage left, they would never dare to resist.

Sure enough, after Red Maiden left, she clearly heard the clatter of weapons hitting the floor inside.

"I... I will obey the commander's orders. Whatever the punishment, I accept it..."

"I won't fight... I accept it too..."

"Commander... spare my life..."

"I won't kill you. For failing to control your men, all of you will receive thirty lashes. Once that is done, go back and teach your brothers how to respect military law."