Chapter 220: The Mediator

"You brat, right now you still..." someone couldn't help but shout out, and then the shout stopped abruptly, because they saw Zhao Jin and the others take off the robes they were wearing, then pull out their helmets and put them on — these helmets had been carried on their backs the whole time.

Qi Erkui's steps immediately slowed. Without any order, the group behind him also slowed down. This was a full suit of iron armor! Though it hadn't been thoroughly polished to a shine, the necessary treatment had still been done, and it reflected light under the sun. One look and you knew this was steel plate armor.

What made the salt peddlers slow their steps was not only this armor they had never seen before, but also the reaction of Zhao Jin's five men. The horse cart behind them hadn't been moved aside yet, so reinforcements couldn't come up. In front, there were just five solitary men, yet these five were calmly taking off their outer robes and putting on their helmets. They had to know that facing them were nearly three hundred men bearing weapons — and they weren't even afraid!

The distance between the two sides was already nearly fifty paces. The horse cart behind Zhao Jin was finally moved aside. Over there, Dong Bingfeng had already mounted his horse and was standing guard at the flank together with Luan Song. They still hadn't seen any archers on the opposing side.

Zhao Jin glanced back, raised his long spear forward, and shouted, "Forward with me!"

"Forward!" the household troops shouted in unison, stepping forward in orderly fashion.

Qi Erkui and his men finally got a clear look at the household troops who had been blocked by the horse cart. A square formation of a hundred men, ten across and ten deep, was not large, and the spacing was tight, the formation very dense. Compared to Qi Erkui's scattered several hundred men, it looked more like just a few dozen.

Yet the first three rows of these "few dozen" were all armored — especially the fully equipped cotton armor, which not only wrapped the men up tightly, but also made them seem two sizes larger. Add to that the long spear in every man's hand — heavy armor, long spears, strict ranks — the imposing momentum surged right at them.

"His mother!" At this sight, who knew how many on Qi Erkui's side blurted out curses. The men at the very front all braked to a halt, but those in the front rows could see while those in the back could not. Some bumped into each other, jostling and colliding, and involuntarily moved forward a few more steps, falling into complete chaos.

But after that, no one dared to step forward. Everyone stared dumbfounded at Zhao Jin's formation. Some salt peddlers were even cursing inwardly, thinking, we're having a brawl in the jianghu here — you come out wearing a full suit of armor, does that even follow the rules!

Yet seeing this equipment, this strict and orderly formation, whether it was Qi Erkui or the other salt peddlers, all of them extinguished any thought of fighting to win. No matter how great their numbers, everyone could see clearly: their own many men were a flock of sheep; the few men on the other side were a pack of wolves. The outcome was crystal clear.

While they were calculating in their minds, Zhao Jin had already led his men forward ten paces. Although they had rested several times along the way, this armor had never been taken off. By now Zhao Jin was somewhat fatigued, but it still didn't affect his movements. It was just that lessons had to be summarized — he wouldn't make the same mistake next time.

In the blink of an eye, the distance was only twenty paces. Qi Erkui and his men had not taken a single step forward; on the contrary, quite a few were retreating. The front ranks had become sparse and scattered. The ones remaining were all Qi Erkui's trusted men. The others had only come to help out of personal obligation. When it came to a real fight to the death, no one was stupid.

Never mind them — even Qi Erkui's side was at a complete loss. They still hadn't moved, not because they didn't want to run, but because they hadn't yet reacted.

Only, there was never a shortage of reckless fools anywhere. As the pressure grew greater and greater, someone raised the axe in his hand, about to hurl it. The companion beside him understood what was happening and hurriedly tried to shout to stop him, but it was already too late.

Everyone knew that if that axe were thrown, whether it could hit anyone or not, it would certainly mean the start of battle and the spilling of blood — and then it would be a one-sided bloodbath.

"Thwip!" A sharp whistle — at that very moment, an arrow tore through the air. The scene fell silent again. Zhao Jin's side had actually used a bow! Everyone instinctively shrank back. Then came a miserable cry. The man who had wanted to throw the axe was clutching his shoulder, his face full of agony. The axe in his hand had fallen to the ground, and a feathered arrow was nailed into his shoulder.

Only then did the crowd react. Just now, off to the side of Zhao Jin's formation, that young man on horseback had moved with incredible speed — drawing his bow and nocking an arrow on horseback, he had shot and hit his mark in one motion!

Fine archery! Fine accuracy! There was no way to fight this. Now even those who hadn't reacted finally reacted. Someone yelled out, and instantly the whole crowd scattered in uproar. They turned and ran. At least it hadn't completely fallen apart — most turned and ran toward the village. A few who had lost their heads bolted into the surrounding fields, ran a stretch, then turned and came back.

They had thought it would be a real clash of blades, but who would have guessed that a single arrow would send the other side scattering in chaos. Zhao Jin and his men were all stunned. They advanced another dozen or so paces. Just moments ago, several hundred men had stood before them; now it was empty, with quite a few weapons dropped on the ground. Zhao Jin shook his head and raised his long spear to signal everyone to halt.

"Bingfeng, ride a circle around the village. If anyone tries to run, give them an arrow. Don't kill anyone," Zhao Jin called out.

Over there, Dong Bingfeng shook the reins and rode off toward the roadside. Luan Song thought for a moment, then spurred his horse to follow. It was much as Zhao Jin had expected — many of those who had fled back into the village were now leaving from other directions. Some carried loads on shoulder poles, some pushed handcarts, some led donkeys, and some drove large carts — all carrying more or fewer hemp sacks and straw bags.

Following Zhao Jin's instructions, whenever they spotted someone like this, they shot an arrow from a distance. Having the arrow nail into a hemp sack or straw bag was enough. Those who had just poked their heads out hastily retreated back in.

Qi Family Village was not large. A horseback circuit took only a short while. As they were about to return to the front of the village, Luan Song shook his head on horseback and said with a laugh, "Using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken — you all really went to a lot of trouble. That set of gear just now, even great armies don't use it much anymore when they clash."

"Make another round! Don't let a single person out!" Zhao Jin shouted from over there again.

After two rounds, two bold unlucky souls had been shot in the thigh and shoulder. No one else dared to act recklessly; they only poked their heads out at the village entrances, peeking around.

"If those goods had scattered in all directions just now, there really wouldn't have been anything we could do. But they all couldn't bear to abandon the salt in the village — and so we've got them all bottled up inside!" Zhao Jin said with a laugh.

"What do we do next?" Chen Sheng asked.

"Since they've set up their formation for a real fight, then we'll give them a real fight! Enter the village — kill anyone who blocks the way!" Zhao Jin explained with a smile, then raised his voice to give the order.

Clad in heavy armor, wielding long spears, advancing in formation — the household troops within the formation were brimming with courage. They felt themselves to be invincible. Just moments ago, before battle was even joined, the several hundred aggressive men on the other side had scattered in chaos, which gave them boundless confidence. Hearing Zhao Jin's command, they all shouted their assent.

Such momentum was utterly crushing. The noisy Qi Family Village fell silent once more. Zhao Jin and his men had taken only a few more steps when they heard someone in the village shout, "Young Master Zhao... Lord Jin... can this lowly one kowtow now..."

The voice was trembling and quavering — it was that Qi Erkui from before. Zhao Jin gave a cold laugh inside his helmet and called out, "Too late! We'll talk after blood is drawn!"

Right now, he meant to establish his absolute authority over Xuzhou and its surroundings. Anyone who dared to provoke him had to be ruthlessly crushed. Otherwise, there would always be people willing to take desperate risks.

As soon as Zhao Jin's reply came out, Qi Family Village was thrown into utter turmoil again. There were indeed many people inside, but they were not a single force. No one was willing to fight to the death for no reason. When there was profit to be made, throwing a few cheap punches was fine, but looking at this formation that seemed ready for a bloodbath and total slaughter — those men clad in armor, long spears like a forest, and a mounted archer besides — who would be so foolish as to go up against that?

If they couldn't unite as one to fight, then they were absolutely no match. Qi Erkui didn't even have as many men under him as Zhao Jin did — they were just livestock awaiting slaughter. Right now, all the various salt peddlers and minor salt bosses in the village wanted was to avoid getting caught up in this. Whatever silver and coin they had to pay, they'd pay. Being able to avert disaster by spending money would be a tremendous stroke of luck.

Just as they were about to enter the village, a man came running over, stumbling and staggering. As he ran, he shouted, "Young Master Jin, wait a moment first, wait a moment first!"

Not many people used the address "Young Master Jin," and this voice was unfamiliar. Zhao Jin paused and looked at the man — a sturdy old fellow in his fifties, one-eyed. Zhao Jin recognized him. When he had left the city to lie low after killing someone, he had stayed at this One-Eyed Qi's house.

This old man was a connection of his father Zhao Zhentang's, and had helped him during that time. Zhao Jin raised his long spear, and the advancing formation halted. Zhao Jin asked, "Uncle Qi, what are you doing out here?"

Question or not, Zhao Jin did not take off his helmet, and he kept carefully scanning the rooftops, walls, and corners at the village entrance. The distance was too close — he had to guard against a sneak attack.

When One-Eyed Qi had come running over, his heart had been very uneasy, afraid that Zhao Jin would ignore him. And with the dense killing intent here, One-Eyed Qi was also afraid of getting caught up in it himself. If they clashed, he'd be dead in an instant. Only when he saw that Zhao Jin's attitude was amiable and polite did he relax.

"Young Master Jin, that Qi Erkui has been in Qi Family Village too long. He thinks he's the lord of heaven, doesn't know the height of the sky or the thickness of the earth, and has offended Young Master Jin's tiger might. Young Master Jin, you are magnanimous — please, don't lower yourself to his level. Erkui is willing to come out and kowtow to you in apology. Whatever must be done will be done. Could Young Master Jin please raise your noble hand and spare this Qi Family Village!" One-Eyed Qi said earnestly.

Zhao Jin pondered for a moment. Behind him, Dong Bingfeng had already ridden up, an arrow nocked on his bowstring. He was tensely scanning the area around the village entrance — whoever dared to launch a sneak attack, he would shoot.

Seeing Zhao Jin hesitate, sweat couldn't help but seep from One-Eyed Qi's forehead. He thought to himself, it's been less than a year, and that timid, curious half-grown kid has suddenly become this imposing and fierce? Yet in the whole of Qi Family Village, with nearly a thousand souls, he was the only old man who could come out to mediate. He could only steel himself and keep talking.

"To be honest with Young Master Jin, before Erkui came out, he even told his men, fight all you want, but whatever you do, don't take any lives... Young Master Jin, our Qi Family Village has ties with the constabulary and the garrison. By rights, when Lord Jin sent word down, he shouldn't have dared not to listen. But these past three days they've been dividing up the salt, and he's a face-loving fool, so he didn't go..." One-Eyed Qi was old, and after running out just now he was somewhat out of breath, but he still tried his utmost to mediate.