Section Eight (Part One)

After taking Rick in, Lin Feng’s reputation rose to a new height in the eyes of those around him. Unlike during the late Qing era, Lin Feng found that people in this time harbored little resentment toward foreigners. Although Rick’s European companions had once occupied Taiwan and stirred public outrage, from the perspective of a “Celestial Empire citizen of the highest class,” Rick’s role as Lin Feng’s “servant” was easily accepted. After Lin Feng briefly recounted Rick’s background, even Zhou Peigong could not contain his admiration, though his reasoning was somewhat peculiar, for he closely associated Rick with the “Kunlun slaves” of ancient times. In his eyes, Lin Feng’s decision to take in this unfortunate man was a mark of kindness and enlightenment, noble traits indeed. Moreover, the ability to command a “Kunlun slave” elevated Lin Feng’s own status and standing.

Lin Feng could hardly comprehend Rick’s enthusiasm for his work. In his view, if even the employer had nothing to say, why was this hired hand so eager? Now that he had both money and provisions at his disposal, keeping one idle mouth to feed was hardly a burden. What’s more, Rick could barely string together a coherent sentence in Chinese—how could he possibly train those illiterate soldiers? With a sense of amusement, Lin Feng went to the training ground, expecting to witness a farce, but what he saw there moved him deeply.

Beneath the scorching sun, Rick led the new recruits through grueling drills, always at the forefront. His training methods were utterly unheard of in China: over a hundred men stood ramrod straight under the blazing sky, staring blankly ahead, and were forced to march in lines, raising their arms and legs stiffly like puppets—no strength training, no martial routines, not even a chance to touch a weapon. Curiosity soon gave way to boredom and then to resentment among the recruits, who began to openly defy Rick.

But Rick was clearly prepared for this. During subsequent contests, his Western boxing and fencing skills gave him an overwhelming advantage; one by one, the burly farmhands who challenged him were left battered and bruised, forced to yield. They also saw that Lin Feng’s favored “foreigner” truly possessed real ability, and that he never shirked during training—whatever the soldiers did, he did as well. Though he could not speak their language, he demonstrated movements patiently and precisely, again and again. Such an officer was impossible not to respect.

The other training efforts began to bear fruit as well. The porters drafted into the army were all robust men, physically strong beyond question. After enduring the hardships of a long march, they had developed the potential to become real soldiers. More importantly, before reaching Linji County, Lin Feng had already led them into battle. In the age of cold steel, there is a world of difference between men who have seen blood and those who have not. So, despite the brief period of training, their fighting ability grew markedly, and when taken out to rotate on the front lines, they just about passed muster as a disciplined, obedient unit.

This routine was suddenly disrupted by an unexpected incident. One day, Lin Feng was in the midst of a heated argument with Zhou Peigong over a strategic chess move when a personal guard rushed in to report, “Sir…”

“Go, go, don’t you see I’m busy?” Lin Feng snapped, clutching a rook in his hand and making fierce, threatening gestures at the smiling Zhou Peigong.

“Haha, I nearly forgot. Brothers, come in!” Lin Feng waved to the guards. “Tell the kitchen to prepare a good meal—tonight I’m drinking with friends!”

Yang Haisheng and his companions quietly followed Lin Feng into the main hall and took their seats. Lin Feng laughed, “Old Yang, are you in some kind of trouble?” Suddenly, as if remembering something, he clapped his head and broke into a hearty laugh. “I suppose the water fort is in need of help? No worries—your brother here is still flush with cash and supplies. If you need silver or rations, just speak up! Anyone who comes through this door honors me as a friend. I won’t let you leave empty-handed, that I promise!”