Chapter 23: Amidst the Shaken Clouds (Part 2)

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Within the City of Clouds, at the Commandant's Office of the Heng'an Eagle Battalion.

Though it occupied the very heart of the city, this commandant’s office was neither grand in scale nor guarded with severe vigilance—there were no sentries at every turn, no checkpoints at every few paces. At the main gate, the gatekeepers were but a handful of old soldiers, each marked by some injury, lounging languidly against the wall, basking in the sunlight. The scene resembled more a typical country manor than a military stronghold; only the ceremonial halberds and axes arrayed at the entrance betrayed the building’s martial purpose.

The so-called Eagle Battalion was, in truth, an institution for training militia. These soldiers tilled fields in peacetime, serving only forty-five days each year under the commandant of the Eagle Battalion. In times of war, the various regional battalions would be divided among the twelve Imperial Guards, each commanded by a mighty general to quell dissent.

This system had been in place since the Northern Zhou and persisted through the era of the Kaihuang Emperor. When the Sovereign of the Grand Era ascended the throne, the elite Eagle Battalions suffered devastating losses in several campaigns against Goguryeo. The emperor then created the Gallant Vanguard, gathering the last of the seasoned warriors under a unified command.

After the emperor led the Gallant Vanguard south to Jiangdu, the remaining Eagle Battalions selected new elites and operated with near autonomy. Those who once farmed now became full-time soldiers. Previously, Eagle Battalion soldiers received tax exemptions, supplied their own arms and armor, and drew no pay except for rations during campaigns. Now, almost all were fully dedicated, forming a standing army.

Once merely a training post in the bureaucracy, the position of Eagle Commandant had become vital in the fractured Sui Empire. In chaotic times, nothing was more substantial than soldiers. Thus, when Liu Wuzhou returned home as a Martial Captain to lead the Heng'an Eagle Battalion, he drew the ire of Wang Rengong, who sought to absorb his power.

The Eagle Commandant’s office, once only temporary, now dominated the city’s center. The county magistrate, a confidant of Wang Rengong, had long since fled to Shanyang, leaving the county seat deserted. Among the people, the Eagle Battalion’s office was the true seat of authority.

A few old soldiers dozed against the wall, exchanging idle chatter.

“Let’s hope we get some tax from this autumn fair. It’s been months since we saw a copper coin—can’t even afford a drink these days…”

“You should be grateful for your millet porridge. Anyone still trading with the steppe in these times has family connections. Does Liu Hawk Strike really think he can tax them? We keep order, guard against the Tatars, and have to dig into our own pockets.”

“Even the millet porridge is running out. Didn’t you hear that the governor has stopped sending grain north? With what little income we have here, the Eagle Battalion won’t last till summer.”

“Damn it, the governor is pushing us to the brink… At least we have Liu Hawk Strike; he always finds a way.”

“Lately, hasn’t the Lesser Court Captain been leading raids on peddlers in the hills? Desperate measures, though it gives us a bad name. The Greater Court Captain takes the blame, and Liu Hawk Strike turns a blind eye. We have two or three thousand mouths to feed.”

“Let’s hope the Lesser Court Captain shows mercy—the traders are our own people. If the governor weren’t so ruthless, we wouldn’t be forced into such shameful acts…”

“Who knows what will happen? Liu Hawk Strike relies on his good reputation here in Mayi Commandery. The governor can’t touch him, but if he loses public favor, all bets are off!”

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The veterans’ grumbling faded, and seeing no amusement in it, they hunched their necks and settled back into the sun.

Suddenly, the clatter of hooves echoed down the street—a rider in a hurry. The old soldiers sprang up, shouting, “Old Tu, what’s going on? Why the rush?”

The rider wore leather armor but no helmet, his face flushed with agitation. Dismounting a dozen paces from the office, he glanced around and lowered his voice, “Yuan Si has made trouble! He tried to ambush a merchant caravan, but some escaped and are heading straight here to appeal to Liu Hawk Strike! Yuan Si is in pursuit, trying to catch them before they reach the office—half the city is watching! What a mess!”

One veteran stamped his foot. “Yuan Si is too reckless! He mustn’t get those people killed!”

The messenger snorted. “Our Yuchi Captain is still in charge—he won’t let Yuan Si run wild. But we need to report to Liu Hawk Strike immediately and let him decide how to handle this!”

With that, Old Tu hurried into the commandant’s office. At the gate, the old soldiers exchanged glances, one finally exclaiming, “That caravan must be something, to make it all the way to the city!”

Another sighed, “Who knows if Liu Hawk Strike will intervene, or if those people will survive until he does…”

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Within the city gates, Han Yue led the charge, his divine Talisman Shield raised, colliding head-on with the Eagle Battalion soldiers!

Spears crashed against his iron shield, sparks flying as Han Yue swung the shield aside, deflecting the thrusts, then drove his horse straight into their midst. With a sweep of his shield, he knocked one soldier from his saddle, the man tumbling into the dust.

As the other soldiers passed, their long weapons couldn’t be brought to bear; they drew sabers and iron whips, striking at Han Yue.

Song Bao followed, wielding a single-bladed halberd, but in Xu Le’s hand now. Song Bao snatched a spear from one of his men, skillfully parrying two sabers in a single, precise movement. Truth be told, Song Bao was not adept with the halberd—he carried it mostly for show. A spear, however, suited him; with a swift thrust, he deflected two blades, living up to his reputation as the Iron Swallow.

But one Fire Captain among the Eagle Battalion, a seasoned veteran, nudged his stirrups, sidestepping Song Bao’s spear, and brought his iron whip crashing down toward Han Yue’s flank—a blow that could have broken bones even in a man as sturdy as Han Yue!

Han Yue had no time to bring his shield around, so he suddenly leaned from his saddle, taking the blow squarely on the small bundle strapped to his back. Metal rang loudly as the whip shattered the bundle’s covering, revealing a smaller iron shield.

The heavy strike made Han Yue’s body dip, and his horse neighed shrilly. But Han Yue, unfazed, swiftly drew the shield from his back. Despite the blow, he showed no sign of distress. With the small shield in hand, he thrust forward, striking the Fire Captain in the ribs. The man tried to dodge but was grazed, doubling over in pain, his face turning ghostly pale.

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Han Yue straightened, raising both shields. “Come at me, all of you!”

The smaller shield was half the size of the Talisman Shield, carved with the fierce visage of the other door god, Yu Lei, from whose mouth protruded two iron fangs, each a foot long, gleaming coldly.

The so-called Twin Door Gods—one shield for defense, one for attack—were Han Yue’s true mastery.

The swelling crowd of spectators erupted in a cheer.

In this frontier land, the people admired valiant fighters above all. Even though the Eagle Battalion was their own, Han Yue’s display of power and courage won him the crowd’s unreserved applause.

Around Han Yue, the retainers and young swordsmen clashed with the Eagle soldiers. No one used bows or arrows—only blades and polearms rang in the melee. For the moment, the fight was at a stalemate. With Han Yue and Song Bao’s prowess, perhaps these ten or so Eagle soldiers would not prevail after all.

Yuan Junwei’s face was ashen. Tossing aside his hardwood spear, he beckoned a guard, who handed him a cavalry lance. Yuan Junwei spun the lance, its tip humming menacingly.

Glancing at his gathering men, Yuan Junwei gritted his teeth. “If we can’t take them down now, we’ll be finished in the Eagle Battalion!”

From among the pursuers, seven or eight riders surged forward—squad leaders, each commanding fifty men, the backbone of the relatively small Heng’an Eagle Battalion. They had held back out of pride, but now, desperate to finish the fight, they charged.

Yuan Junwei followed, lance at the ready.

The black-faced captain, having hurried down from the city wall, shouted, “Yuan Si!”

Yuan Junwei did not look back.

On the other side, Xu Le, who had watched the battle, finally let out a sigh. Gripping his halberd, he gently raised his reins and rode forward to meet the fray.