Chapter 221: Unwilling to Submit

Though tensions had been high just moments ago and someone had even been struck by an arrow, it hadn't escalated into a full-blown fight, so things hadn't been torn apart completely. His family owed One-Eyed Qi a favor, and One-Eyed Qi had brought up the constabulary and the guard station — connections that went back to the elders. That kind of face had to be given.

Zhao Jin pondered for a moment, then spoke up: "Uncle Qi, what is Qi Erkui to you?"

"A cousin's son. That brat Erkui might be a scoundrel, but he still knows to look after his own. He always remembers to give me a few bags of salt to support the family. Just now, I was sitting in the yard and had no idea what was going on outside. I only rushed out when I heard about this." One-Eyed Qi continued to explain.

Once this relationship was brought up, Zhao Jin had even less reason to act. Back when Zhao Zhentang had dared to let him hide at One-Eyed Qi's place, it meant their bond was already close enough. Since Qi Erkui had a relative like Uncle Qi, it really wouldn't be right to start a bloodbath.

Zhao Jin turned to look at Chen Sheng. Chen Sheng had already lifted his helmet's visor and said with a smile, "He's just a small-time fence. What does his life or death matter? If there's a connection, let him off."

Chen Sheng was usually a man of few words, but when he spoke, he always hit the nail on the head. They'd brought a large force here today to demand an accounting; they couldn't leave without some kind of result, or everyone's morale would deflate. Chen Sheng's words were meant to support Zhao Jin's decision.

"Forty percent of his net profit is to be handed over every month. Have all those who came out earlier throw down their weapons. Tell Qi Erkui to come and kowtow!" Zhao Jin gave his orders.

The regular cut was ten percent more than what they'd demanded when they first arrived, and the demand to kowtow in person was an even clearer move to crush his prestige. Yet One-Eyed Qi nodded repeatedly, bowing in gratitude as he said, "I'll tell Erkui right away. This is Young Master Jin's mercy — he won't be so ungrateful as to not recognize it."

Paying more money and losing face — but compared to losing his head and having his life cut short, or having Qi Family Village washed in blood, this was indeed a mercy. One-Eyed Qi thanked him profusely and hurried back to the village.

Zhao Jin turned and said to Dong Bingfeng with a smile, "Bingfeng, ride around the village again. There are bound to be some clever ones trying to run. Whoever tries to flee, shoot them through the leg!"

Dong Bingfeng acknowledged the order, spurred his horse, and rode off again. Before long, agonized screams could be heard from the distance.

Zhao Jin and the others didn't have to wait long outside the village before they saw those salt smugglers who had been so aggressive earlier come trudging out, heads hanging low. Naturally, they were all empty-handed. This time, Qi Erkui wasn't being escorted at the front; he was walking with his head down among the crowd.

As they emerged, the household troops leveled their long spears in sequence. Watching the cold light glinting off the spear tips, everyone cursed inwardly, thinking how foolish they'd been just moments ago — actually squaring off against a force like this. They must have been tired of living.

The two sides kept a distance the whole time. Once the group stopped, only Qi Erkui continued forward. His face was bright red. He was a figure of some standing in Xuzhou, yet today he'd been pushed to such a state — it was the utmost humiliation. Qi Erkui knew perfectly well in his heart that once he kowtowed, all his face would be gone.

Qi Erkui instinctively glanced back at the crowd. He'd expected to see contempt and ridicule, but to his surprise, the salt smugglers behind him were all looking at him with sympathy and understanding.

No one really thought Qi Erkui had suffered any particular disgrace. Just look at the other side — those men with their long spears, their armor so tight and solid that only their eyes were exposed. And look at those two on horseback with their bows — one arrow, one hit, every time. Then think about those unbelievable stories surrounding Zhao Jin. Kowtowing and yielding to someone like that — what shame was there in it? It was only natural.

"Master Jin, this lowly one didn't know the height of heaven or the depth of earth. I beg your generous forgiveness." Qi Erkui first spoke these words of submission, then knelt down publicly and knocked his head against the ground several times.

When he truly drew within five paces and met Zhao Jin's gaze up close, he felt as if the other's eyes could pierce right through him. There was an even more intimidating pressure bearing down on him. Qi Erkui, who controlled a share of the private salt trade, had seen something of the world. He'd felt a similar pressure before — it was the kind that only belonged to merciless killers and blood-soaked fiends.

Feeling this, and thinking back on what had just happened, Qi Erkui immediately understood: those tales of Zhao Jin's bloody battles, however far-fetched they sounded, were probably all true. Once he grasped that, kneeling and kowtowing became something he did willingly.

"I came here to kill a chicken to warn the monkeys. You're lucky you usually remember to show filial respect to Uncle Qi. Otherwise — I can't say for the others — but today, your entire family would certainly have been washed in blood," Zhao Jin said, showing no mercy whatsoever just because the other man had yielded.

At that moment, Qi Erkui felt not a trace of anger, only fear and unease. He even felt a bit of relief in his heart, grateful that he'd usually treated his cousin-uncle One-Eyed Qi decently.

"Don't fall short on the monthly regular payment. I don't want to come back here. If you run into any trouble you can't settle, come find me as well!" Zhao Jin added. This trip out of the city was also about defining his sphere of influence. He would take the rights, but he would also bear the obligations.

Qi Erkui, still on his knees, hastily agreed. After he stood up, before he could even speak, Zhao Jin said, "No one who came to Qi Family Village today is allowed to leave. I'm staying here tonight as well. We'll all set out together tomorrow morning and leave together."

Staying one night — that was naturally no big deal. Qi Erkui quickly bowed and said, "Since Master Jin honors us with his presence, allow this lowly one to make the arrangements and properly host Master Jin's party."

"Go make your preparations first. We'll meet in the village shortly. Qi Erkui, have your men guard every exit of the village. Don't let a single person out," Zhao Jin gave a few simple orders. Qi Erkui hastily nodded in agreement — it wasn't his place to say anything else.

The other salt smugglers had nothing to say either. The man had spared their lives; what did staying one night matter? They dispersed and headed back into the village.

As soon as Qi Erkui's people scattered, Zhao Jin's companions immediately looked over at him. To them, the safest place was inside Xuzhou city. Going out on operations was one thing, but the risk of staying outside the city overnight was far too great.

"A lot of people know we left the city. If we leave from Qi Family Village now, word will reach Ferry Crossing Market, and that couple — the ringleaders — might just run. We'll stay one night, rest and reorganize here, and set out tomorrow," Zhao Jin explained.

Everyone nodded. Zhao Jin added one more line: "We've trained this force — sooner or later, we have to bring them out. Keeping them cooped up in the city all the time isn't good either."

Stay it was. They quickly picked a spot in the village. Qi Erkui stepped in to negotiate, and a few reasonably tidy houses were vacated. Zhao Jin recalled his second uncle Zhao Zhenxing saying that troops should lodge in their own barracks and not stay in civilian homes — otherwise, any sudden incident would become very troublesome. But for now, they couldn't manage things that thoroughly.

Although they'd already intimidated Qi Erkui's side, they still needed to be properly cautious. Zhao Jin arranged for the household troops to stand guard in rotating shifts. They themselves didn't just sleep soundly either — the few of them also set a watch schedule and took turns keeping vigil through the night.

In addition, Dong Bingfeng rode back to the city to report that all was well. This was also a precaution for the worst-case scenario — even if something went wrong, the people in the city would know where to look for them.

All necessary precautions were taken, but the atmosphere in Qi Family Village wasn't that tense. Despite the earlier standoff with weapons drawn, the two sides hadn't actually clashed. The three unlucky ones who'd been shot hadn't suffered major injuries — pull out the arrows and they wouldn't be crippled. Without a complete falling-out, without serious injuries or deaths, there was still room for friendly relations. Seeing Zhao Jin's strength and his way of doing things, everyone from Qi Erkui down to the lowliest private salt peddler wanted to curry favor with all their might.

The most critical thing in the salt-smuggling trade was getting a smooth pass everywhere. Offending a powerful magnate like Zhao Jin would make every step impossible. But if they could gain the protection of someone like Zhao Jin, then every road would be smooth.

Qi Erkui slaughtered a pig and two sheep, vacated his own house, and began preparations on a grand scale. Fortunately, it was still the first month of the year, and every household had ample stores. Scrounging from here and there, they managed to put together a very lavish feast.

By the time Dong Bingfeng returned from the city, the sky had darkened. The aroma of roast lamb and stewed meat was already wafting through Qi Family Village. In the afternoon, they'd been talking about washing the place in blood and starting a fight; by evening, there was almost a festive air.

When night had fully fallen, Qi Erkui lit torches in his own courtyard and kindled a bonfire in the center. Someone was assigned to keep adding firewood. Warmed by the flames, even though the courtyard was open to the sky, no one felt too cold.

Zhao Jin's group of companions, Qi Erkui, and the leading figures among the salt smugglers were all present — and of course, One-Eyed Qi had to be invited to the seat of honor. The feast kicked off in lively fashion. Qi Erkui not only had to ingratiate himself with Zhao Jin but also had to thank the salt smugglers for coming to his aid. The leading figures got to sit at the table, but even the ordinary young toughs had meat soup to drink and all the coarse-grain flatbread they could eat. The whole village was in high spirits.

"Master Jin, this lowly one had eyes but failed to see Mount Tai today. I acted like a fool and gave great offense. This lowly one will first drink three bowls as penance!" Once seated at the feast, Qi Erkui downed three bowls in a row.

Though the wine bowls weren't large, each one still held about an ounce of liquor — and it was Hanjing Famous Wine at that. This showed Qi Erkui had deep pockets and decent connections, to be able to drink such a sought-after fine liquor. But after three bowls of such strong spirits, Qi Erkui couldn't quite handle it. His face flushed crimson as he sat down. Zhao Jin merely raised his bowl and took a small sip as a gesture — he naturally had the standing not to drink.

After those opening three bowls, the atmosphere grew much more relaxed. Qi Erkui and his people came up in turns to offer toasts. This was also a rule of the jianghu — first, to show respect, and second, to build closer ties.

No matter how many came to toast, Zhao Jin and his companions merely touched the wine to their lips. Only Chen Sheng, who had the best tolerance, took a small sip. But Qi Erkui and his men had to drain their cups every time. There was no helping it — those were the rules of the drinking table.

Before long, Zhao Jin and his group remained clear-headed, while Qi Erkui and his lot were all somewhat drunk. Their speech and manner were no longer as cautious as they'd been at the start.

"Master Jin, your methods are for the battlefield, for war — they're invincible there. But how many times do us jianghu folk get the chance for a large-scale fight? It's always one-on-one duels. That's when spear and staff skill really matters," a man said, grinning broadly. Zhao Jin had an impression of this man — during the standoff, he'd been positioned very close to the front, with quite a few people clustered around him. He must be a figure of some standing.