Chapter Eighteen: A New Official Takes Office!

Chang’an, as the capital of the Great Tang Empire, was dotted throughout with government offices of every size and rank. The higher the rank of the official in charge, the grander, brighter, and better situated the office; the lower the rank, the meaner the accommodations. As a ninth-rank petty official, Li Zhao’s office was naturally the worst of all.

Southwest corner of Chang’an—Yongyang Ward—Three Purities Temple.

Once, this had been a small Daoist temple, but due to waning incense offerings, it had long been abandoned. Later, it became the headquarters for the Rogue Patrol, but years of neglect had left the outer walls collapsed, the main hall in ruins, beams rotted, windows and doors broken, holes gaping everywhere, and only a handful of tiles left on the roof.

Scattered about the courtyard sat seven or eight Rogue Patrollers in ragged clothing, lounging about idly, their conversation centered on the trivialities of daily life.

Faced with this scene, Li Zhao could not help but wonder if he was here to take up a new post, or to become the leader of a beggars’ guild—was this not rather too miserable?

“Young master, what business brings you here?”

“I come by order of the Ministry of Personnel to assume my post.”

“You’re here to take office? You are the newly appointed Rogue Commander?”

“Indeed.”

Li Zhao presented his bronze fish tally and the official appointment letter from the Ministry of Personnel. The Rogue Patrollers, after examining them, hurriedly offered their salute, though their eyes were full of doubt. Had the Ministry of Personnel lost its wits, appointing a mere youth as Rogue Commander?

The Rogue Patrol was mostly composed of old soldiers and local toughs—unruly, slick, and difficult to manage even for seasoned officials, let alone a callow youth. No doubt, within ten days, he’d be fleeing his post in tears—just as those before him had.

“Today is my first day in office. You lot, go and inform every Rogue Patroller that before the third quarter of the hour at noon, everyone is to assemble here. I have words to say.”

“At your command!”

With orders given, Li Zhao stepped into the main hall, which was just as dilapidated as the rest: a single battered desk, one leg broken and propped up with blue bricks, and several old wooden chests.

From one of the chests, he took out a roster, which recorded in detail the names, ages, places of origin, and addresses of all two hundred sixty-two Rogue Patrollers in Chang’an.

He skimmed through it rapidly, committing the details to memory—for these would be his subordinates from now on.

Time passed, and the Rogue Patrollers gradually assembled—a wretched sight, to put it mildly. Not only were they ill-clad and sallow-faced, but some pushed wheelbarrows, some carried vegetable baskets, others were smeared with mud and carried bricklayer’s tools. Was this the famed Rogue Patrol? They looked more like common laborers.

Yet, on reflection, it made sense.

In the capital region, a regular constable received a monthly stipend of two thousand copper coins, four bushels of polished rice, eight feet of cloth, and a regular supply of shirts, headscarves, boots, robes, and jackets. Moreover, they could use their positions to line their pockets—sometimes earning more from that than from their official pay—so life was comfortable.

The Rogue Patrollers, however, were far less fortunate. Lacking official status, their stipend was only a quarter that of regular constables—pitifully small and often docked by superiors, with no chance for illicit earnings. To support themselves and their families, they were compelled to take side jobs: some sold vegetables or tofu, some did odd labor—barely making ends meet.

…

“Brothers, have you heard? The new Rogue Commander is just a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old boy.”

“Hmph, what does a snot-nosed kid know about being Commander? He must have gotten in through connections.”

“Unlikely. If he had any backing, he wouldn’t be sent to our miserable post. Most likely he’s just an unlucky soul, shuffled off here as a punishment.”

“True enough. When he comes, we’ll give him a proper welcome—let him know what the Rogue Patrol is really like, ha!”

The Rogue Patrollers gathered in the open space, sitting or squatting in small groups, chattering away without the slightest discipline. Their words were full of scorn; clearly, they did not take their new superior seriously.

At the appointed time, Li Zhao emerged from the hall to address them. “Brothers, today is my first day in office. Allow me to introduce myself: Li Zhao, sixteen years of age, native of Wuan County. From now on, we shall work together, so let us strive for unity and good results. Now, I shall call the roll—when your name is called, answer, please. Wannian County—Cao Xiaoyang!”

“Here!”

“Daxing County—Yu Daxing!”

“Present!”

…

“Lantian County—Li Wei!”

“Here—ha!”

Li Zhao called the roll one by one, and the Rogue Patrollers replied with sarcasm and laughter.

But soon, the laughter died away, for they noticed something strange: this sixteen-year-old Commander was not holding the roster, yet as he called the names and origins of more than a hundred people, not a single error slipped through. How was this possible?

It was his first day—how could he know everyone’s name? Even if he had glanced at the roster, was it possible to memorize over two hundred names in such a short time? Clearly, something was amiss—and people are instinctively awed by the inexplicable.

Some who had been sitting rose quietly, their contempt much diminished as they looked at Li Zhao.

Soon, the roll was complete.

Of two hundred sixty-two Rogue Patrollers, two hundred fifty-four were present, eight absent.

On inquiry, three were ill at home, one away on bereavement—legitimate reasons. The remaining four, however, had none; clearly, they were defying orders.

Liu Yidao, twenty-eight, from Lantian County, Guanzhong.

Miao Erjian, twenty-seven, from Fengtian County, Guanzhong.

Wang Tieqiang, twenty-eight, from Weinan County, Guanzhong.

Wei Dachui, twenty-six, also from Weinan County, Guanzhong.

According to the roster, these four had all served as zhechongfu soldiers, seen battle, taken enemy heads, won merit, and upon retiring became Rogue Patrollers. Of all, they had caught the most thieves—and caused the most trouble. They were the classic “standouts” at both ends.

After another meal’s time, the four troublemakers showed up, swaying as they walked, reeking of wine. Li Zhao stepped forward to block their path.

“You four are late without cause—do you defy my authority?”

“And if we do?”

“Heh—good, straightforward men. Let’s say no more—let’s settle it with our fists.”

“What, you want to fight us?”

Soldiers of this era were rough men; there was no need to mince words. Li Zhao issued a direct challenge. Dealing with such men required force.

This boldness startled the four; for a moment, they were at a loss.

“What now, afraid to try?”

“Hmph—what’s there to fear? If we fight, how shall we decide the outcome?”

“Simple. If you four lose, you obey my orders from now on. If I say east, you go east—not west. If I say chase the dog, you don’t curse the chicken. If I lose, I resign on the spot. How about it?”

“Truly?”

“All present can bear witness. My word is as good as gold.”

“Good, I accept. Let me, Wei Dachui, test your skills first.”

True to his name, Wei Dachui was burly and broad, clearly not someone to cross. By contrast, Li Zhao was slender and handsome, seemingly harmless.

“Begin!”

“Take this!”

Wei Dachui struck first, sending a powerful punch—though he only used half his strength, wary of injuring his opponent and causing trouble.

Li Zhao stood his ground and met the blow head-on.

A dull thud—neither man moved an inch. It was a draw, to the astonishment of the onlookers. Wei Dachui was known for his strength, able to lift several hundred catties. Even at half power, few could withstand him.

This new Commander was no ordinary man.

…

“Well done—let’s see if you can take another!” Wei Dachui launched another punch, this time with eighty percent of his strength.

Li Zhao did not dodge, but at the last instant, he withdrew his fist, sidestepped, and slipped behind, jabbing two fingers sharply into the mute point at the base of Wei Dachui’s skull.

The mute point, located in the depression between the first and second vertebrae, is a crucial nexus of the body’s meridians. Hit here, Wei Dachui was suddenly paralyzed, collapsing to the ground, unable to rise.

The contest was decided.

“Next—who will try?”

“I, Wang Tieqiang, will test your skills.”

“Come then.”

Wang Tieqiang was more cunning—a technical fighter. Yet after five moves, he too was felled by a single finger jab.

“You two, come together.”

“Forgive us!”

Seeing their comrades defeated, Liu Yidao and Miao Erjian exchanged glances, recognizing a true expert, and attacked as a pair. Two at once were harder to handle; Li Zhao needed ten moves to bring them both down.

“Your skills are fair enough. From now on, you four will serve as my personal guards.”

“At your command!”

Li Zhao had shown restraint; the four quickly rose and, exchanging embarrassed looks, stood meekly by—more obedient than children.

Before the contest, many Rogue Patrollers had sat watching; now all stood respectfully, awe in their eyes.

The four—Liu, Miao, Wang, and Wei—were the best fighters among the Rogue Patrollers, with battlefield merit. If even they were no match for the new Commander, what chance had the rest?

This new Rogue Commander was no simple man.

From ancient times, the art of ruling men has been highly esteemed in this land. To master others is to rise above them; the art of command is vast and deep, but can be summed up in four words: combine leniency with authority.

Having established his authority by subduing the troublemakers, it was time to show favor.

Li Zhao was well prepared. With a wave, two attendants brought forth bundles, each filled with five-tael silver ingots.

“I know your lives are hard. Here is a token for meeting me. I promise you this: as long as you obey orders and do your duty, your monthly silver will be no less than this—likely more. Distribute it—see that none are missed.”

“At your command!”

Every one of the two hundred-plus Rogue Patrollers received five taels of silver, even those absent, whose share was collected on their behalf.

Staring at the shining silver, then at Li Zhao standing with hands clasped behind his back, the Rogue Patrollers knelt as one: “We, the Rogue Patrol, salute the Commander!”

“Rise. From now on, just call me Young Master.”

“At your command!”