Clash of Alliances

by Pierre Dimaculangan

  ​Buff Baby watched in amusement from afar, observing the troops as they cut down several of the berserkers who did not stop at anything less than a fatal blow. Zuo Shilong gripped the bars of his cell, wishing he could lend a hand in defending the town. It was not long however, until even more of the berserkers closed in on the town.

  ​“We have to go down to help them!” said Zuo Shilong, utterly eager to fight despite his fatigue and hunger.

  ​“If you can break down these bars, then by all means! Until then just enjoy the show. I say they deserve what’s coming to them,” scoffed Buff Baby.

  ​“You fool, helping in the fight is our way to be freed of these bonds!” cried Zuo Shilong. “I am certain the guards will no longer mind if we break ourselves out. Now help us free us!”

  ​“Fine…” groaned Buff Baby. He stood, flexed and popped his knuckles then grasped the thick iron bars. He lowered his stance then with all his strength tried pulled the bars apart. First the iron bars flexed, and then with adjustments and additional force, they began to give way. The iron creaked and groaned until they were pried apart far enough for the both of them to squeeze through. By the time they had broken out, even more of the berserkers emerged from the roads leading to town, and they came in clusters of twenty to thirty in an attempt to overwhelm the Ming soldiers with their onslaught. Through strength and discipline, the defenders were holding their ground fairly well according to their training, but should the pressure from the attackers continue, even they would not last much longer.

  ​Buff Baby and Zuo Shilong frantically searched for their weapons within the army encampment before the defending troops down in the town could be overrun. They found their weapons inside the camp’s armory and quickly used them to break their shackles. Buff Baby brought the weight of his Guan Dao upon Zuo Shilong’s chains and he brought his metal rod upon Buff Baby’s. They then rushed into town to lend aid to the defending Ming troops. By the time they had neared the site of the main battle, some of the berserkers had already managed to bypass the defenses and began wreaking havoc inside the town, attacking its hapless citizens.

  ​They two of them engaged the first small incoming wave with no hesitation. Buff Baby charged at them with his massive Guan Dao spinning and twirling. Three were fatally hacked and chopped with a mere four strokes of the weapon. Zuo Shilong approached similarly bringing his metal staff smashing against their heads. His weapon had the advantage of superior range, and the attackers’ axes, knives, and cheap swords fell short of their targets.

  ​“We have to push them back toward the soldiers,” shouted Zuo. The two joined the defenders at the edge of the town and engaged the enemy head on. Buff Baby grasped his weapon horizontally and charged full speed at the attackers. He used his massive weight, size, and strength to plow through them with little effort as if they were like grass falling to the swing of a sickle. Some were cut down by the oversized blade and the rest were trampled upon or knocked down. They were vulnerable as they tried to get back on their feet to resume their attack but the Ming soldiers seized the opportunity to cut and shoot them down before they had a chance to fully recover from the charge. Buff Baby continued chop, hack and slash at the remaining berserk marauders until there was naught left but lacerated bodies and a blood-soaked ground. Zuo Shilong was close behind smashing the heads and bodies of the marauders who redirected their attack toward him. It was not long until the Ming soldiers regained the advantage and the main attacking force had been successfully destroyed and repelled. As quickly as they came, the attackers retreated back into the roads and the distant mountains. Only a few stragglers continued to terrorize the city, caring little that their comrades had already been defeated by the Ming forces.

  ​The commanding officer dispatched hunt and destroy teams made up of his best men to take care of the remaining cutthroats still running around the city. Wiping the blood from his face and looking at the bodies of the slain, he approached Zuo Shilong and Buff Baby as they rinsed their weapons in a nearby stream. He removed his tasseled helmet before them and offered a fist-in-hand salute and a bow.

  ​“Gentlemen, I never thought I’d ever say this, but I am most glad that you were able to break free and lend us hand. We owe the momentum of our victory to your efforts,” he said.

  ​“Glad we could be of service, commander,” said Buff Baby as he slung his Guan Dao around his body. “Though quite frankly I was just fine watching the show from where we were sitting. The boy here was the one who thought we should help.”

  ​“We thought it honorable to help our nation’s defenders, sir. I spoke the truth when I said we were under the direct order of the Imperial Administration to aid one of their agents on a classified operation,” said Zuo Shilong.

  ​“Well, I guess I would have to believe you now,” said the commander as he removed a key from his belt and unfastened the shackles still upon their wrists. “I am Captain Lao Lung from the garrison of northern Huguang province. Welcome to Handan,” he said saluting them once again.

  ​“Handan city, wow, I never would have guessed. We never would have guessed we made it all the way to Huguang province at all, eh Monk?” said Buff Baby.

  ​“Thank you for the welcome. I am Zuo Shilong. My ‘friend’ here is known abroad as ‘Buff Baby’. We are pleased to formally meet you. It is good to finally know where we are,” he said as he bowed with hands in praying form.

  ​“Ah yes, the infamous Buff Baby,” said Captain Lao Lung. “I have received notices from the government concerning you and your little gang. Considering the present circumstances and the actions you performed on this day, I am willing to let you off the hook… for now.”

  ​“Your kindness is most appreciated,” bowed Buff Baby, sarcastic as ever.

  ​“Indeed,” muttered the captain. He turned his attention to the many that lay dead in the streets. A few of them were his own men whom he had helped train in the past. He rubbed his head and sighed and strapped his helm over his head. “This is the third attack this week and was by far the largest. We’ve been receiving reports that such attacks are taking place in other provinces. They mostly like to attack the large farms and supply routes in an attempt to starve the cities and towns. This is why the army is here.”

  ​Buff Baby and Zuo Shilong kneeled down to examine the bodies. Zuo Shilong did not recognize their colors or clothing much less any of their faces.

  ​“I have seen these patterns before,” said Buff Baby. “They’re but a clan of rogues, sellswords who seemed to have taken too much of a liking to the elixirs the foreigners administered to Underworld scum. Seems they took a little too much. Luckily for us, it has made them sloppy and suicidal.”

  ​“That makes sense. Were these fools friends of yours?” asked the captain.

  ​“They wished I had befriended them. We’ve since had a few scuffles. I’m quite overjoyed to see most of them dead at last,” answered Buff Baby.

  ​“I’ve never seen anything like it— the way they were throwing themselves at us. It’s worse than the last two times we were attacked just days ago. It’s all quite disturbing, really. At least we’ve good reason for our guard duty, and the men are back to being on the tips of their toes. In any case, you need not trouble yourselves with the cleanup. My men are already on it, unless you insist of course. You two are welcome to stay in town for as long as you like. Just stay out of trouble,” said Lao Lung.

  ​“Will do,” said Buff Baby. He and Zuo Shilong proceeded into the town in search for a well-deserved meal and proper lodging for sleep. Guards walked briskly between the pathways and alleys being sure that the last of the attackers had been eliminated. It was not long until the citizens were comfortable enough to return to the streets and resume their daily activities. Except now, they were all on edge.

  ​ As usual, the traveling duo received prolonged stares and awkward glances as they passed by. It was enough that Buff Baby dwarfed everyone else in town, but it was even more awkward that a Sh
aolin monk walked right beside him. The two appeared to have no business being with each other at all. Buff Baby was amused with the attention while Zuo Shilong merely ignored their stares, being slightly embarrassed by it all. They cut through a residential area of the town to get through the business street when a commotion caught their attention. Peering into a dark and broad alley far from anyone else’s view, the two observed what appeared to be a gang surrounding a woman.

  ​“Look, Bao! Some of the town’s attackers have managed to elude the soldiers and are about to victimize that lady!” shouted Zuo Shilong, speaking the obvious as usual. He readied his weapon to come to her aid.

  ​“Wait,” said Buff Baby as he grabbed his shoulder to keep him from interfering.

  ​“What are you doing? She needs our help!”

  ​“Just watch, you buffoon,” he said pointing at the altercation.

  ​Four attackers rushed her at once. What appeared to be the beginnings of a vicious and violent struggle stopped without warning when all four flopped to the ground, dead. Standing in their midst was the woman with her sword in full view. The yellow tassel that dangled from the sword’s pommel danced gently in the alley’s draft while blood pooled around her feet. Her hood kept her face from view and she maintained her crouched fighting stance even as she returned the blade into its bright red scabbard.

  ​She wrapped the sword back into a cloth sheet and tied it with a long leather strap. She walked past Buff Baby and Zuo Shilong as if they were not even there. Both men had their jaw open with amazement, especially when they saw the pretty face underneath the shadow of her hood. She wore knee-high boots and fine robes of red-orange and gray. Locks of her long black hair swayed gently to the left and right of her face. Almost every detail of her appearance did not go unnoticed by Buff Baby and Zuo Shilong.

  ​“Did you see that, monk? That’s the woman we saw secretly entering the town earlier!” said Buff Baby in his excitement.

  ​“Of course I saw it, Bao. Perhaps we should follow her and see what her business in this city is truly,” said Zuo Shilong pretending he was concerned with the lady’s intentions. Even he did not want to admit he was smitten by her.

  ​“Yes, monk. Let’s,” replied Buff Baby wide-eyed and enamored.

  ​They followed her from a distance through the crowds thick and thin. Buff Baby’s height allowed him to see her weaving through the crowds of people at a brisk pace. After she had rounded another corner, they had completely lost her trail. It was almost as if she had vanished into thin air. The two searched the nearby street corners and establishments, but to no avail.

  ​“Gosh, she is a quick one, is she not?” said Zuo Shilong. “Maybe we should not be stalking women like a couple of creeps.”

  ​“Nah, it’s only stalking when you get caught. C’mon. Let’s find a place to chow down and drink a little,” said Buff Baby. At the city’s main square, they ate at the restaurant at an inn, and as they dined, they were silent for the most part, apparently daydreaming about the skill and charm of the swordswoman whom they had witnessed cutting down four attackers with ease.

  ​“Was there not something about her that seemed, perhaps, a little familiar?” Zuo Shilong asked.

  ​“I dunno,” replied Buff Baby as he voraciously stuffed his mouth with rice and an assortment of steamed and stir-fried foods. One could only guess how two measly chopsticks managed to pick up all that food to feed his bottomless appetite.

  ​“I meant, the way she handled that sword. It seemed strangely familiar. I’m probably just hungry,” Zuo Shilong added.

  ​At the center of the town square was a small pavilion where another beautiful woman whose face was covered in white makeup plucked and strummed a pipa with great skill. She played the strings with her long, delicate fingers, and performed a ballad as diners and pedestrians stopped for a short while to enjoy a quick performance. Even Buff Baby and Zuo Shilong took a moment to appreciate the song as well, and it seemed that she too had taken notice of them.

  11 War Game

  “A fine evening for a little stroll somewhere in the city, Scholar Qiu?” said Lieutenant Shun.

  Tian Qiu, who had not expected to see a squad of Jinyiwei walking about in the city, was caught a bit off guard with the greeting. “Yes, of course. A bit chilly, but it is autumn of course. A cold winter is on the horizon,” he answered.

  ​“Indeed,” replied Shun with a raised eyebrow. “I wonder though, what a Martial Scholar, with a prestigious position in the emperor’s palace, is doing in the Outer City district past curfew and in such a poor neighborhood?”

  ​Tian Qiu merely chuckled and smiled as he nodded his head. “That is a good question, Lieutenant. I often go in deep strolls in the cities to clear and silence my mind to create more room for thought. Nothing more really. It’s the only escape I have from the burden of responsibility.”

  ​“And so it seems,” he said plainly. He stood there locking his stare into Tian Qiu’s eyes for a good two or three moments. “You have yourself a good evening, Scholar Qiu. Stay safe.”

  ​“Likewise, Lieutenant,” replied Tian Qiu.

  ​Shun watched him carefully as he walked down the street and rounded a corner away from view. “These Martial Scholars are a shifty bunch. They’re rogues, the lot of them. Vigilantes have clawed their way to the ears of our emperor,” he said aloud to his men.

  ​Later into the night, Lieutenant Shun issued a report to Shang Jian who was tasked with overseeing the Jinyiwei’s activities and presence in the city. “Martial Scholar Shang Jian— if I may have a word,” said Lieutenant Shun. He was on his toes and even though he rested his hands behind his back, it was clear that he was apprehensive or perhaps even anxious with what was on his mind.

  ​Shang Jian hung up his brush and set aside his papers and books. “Is there a problem, Lieutenant?” He walked over to Shun and looked him straight in the eye as would a proper superior officer.

  ​“It’s about the refugees, sir. They’re beginning to overpopulate the city’s northern and southern districts. I have noticed that the necessary documentation needed to register all the citizens is becoming more difficult to organize. I fear the possibility of a conspirator tampering with the records. Furthermore, there seems to be some gaps in the records from customs. It’s wholly possible that contraband has or is being smuggled past the checkpoints and city gates. The circumstances would certainly make it easier.”

  ​“The overcrowding is hardly surprising. People fear for their lives and seek the safety of the city walls and the army. Do their numbers bother you?”

  ​“Well, it is not so much the overcrowding itself that is cause for concern. My men and I have been making some rounds in the city and we’ve reason to believe that there are those among the refugees who may wish to cause harm. I do not mean mere spies, but infiltrators from our internal enemies. I would’ve initiated an investigation on my own regarding these discrepancies, but without approval from the court and the Martial Scholars, I’m helpless,” expressed Lieutenant Shun.

  ​“The League of Martial Scholars is keeping a tight watch over the city. I’m quite certain that all citizens and refugees are being properly screened, all cargoes and shipments pass inspection, and that all assigned Academicians are seeing to the paperwork. The citizens after all, are being assigned to specifically designated areas on the capital. All of the logistics and documentation are in proper order. Make no mistake; I appreciate your vigilance and the expressing of your concerns. They shall be noted,” replied Shang Jian. “Besides, a large bulk of the Ming army patrols every street of the city districts. Fortunately, security saturates the inner and outer premises of the capital, and now we have extra able-bodied men thanks to you. There is little cause for concern.”

  ​“I’ve little doubt as to the thoroughness and expertise of the Martial Scholars and the Academicians; much less the rest of the imperial administration, but even you must realize that your eyes and ears are spread rather
thin. All I am saying is that the Jinyiwei have noticed some discrepancies in the management of the influx of the refugees which has given us legitimate cause to be suspicious,” said Lieutenant Shun concernedly. “One of our armories within the Imperial City district has missing items and failed to make inventory. I need not mention that many of the refugees are free to roam the streets unchecked. I do not question the emperor’s compassion in letting them inside the city, though I believe it to be much wiser to have installed all refugee encampments outside the city walls instead. They would still be well within the protection of the army.”

  ​“If you can provide me some proper, tangible evidence for these ‘hunches’ of yours, then I can be compelled to take proper action and inform our Headmaster. Until then, you are to continue with your duties to the emperor and to the empire. We shall talk later of other business and of any new discoveries you’ll make about these concerns. You may take your leave.”

  ​Lieutenant Shun Gen hesitated for a brief moment before bowing his way out. He was irritated and frustrated, and it seemed that the Beijing Jinyiwei would have to conduct its own discreet investigation outside of the Martial Scholars’ appointed jurisdiction. He did not tell the Martial Scholars, but there were many tricks remaining in his sleeves. The spy agencies of the Eastern and Western Depots have not yet been dissolved, and both depots cooperated with him and his men yet still, albeit from the shadows. Coordinating with the intelligence agencies ought to give him and the Jinyiwei proper leverage over the Martial Scholars and win back their place beside the emperor in the court. The Martial Scholars are not the only ones who excel in working inside the safety of the darkness, he thought to himself.

  ​He grew weary of bureaucratic obstacles, and later informed his officers of the situation at hand before returning to their assigned posts with the senior Academicians.

  ​“What news, Lieutenant?” asked his second-in-command.