CCWAD – Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Reorganizing the Army and Strengthening Martial Arts

Prologue:

“When I proposed forming a female cavalry unit, even Lu Junyi frowned. Yang Bamei sparred with me on the spot, and after thirty rounds, her silver spear was knocked from her hand. She knelt on one knee and said, ‘Your subordinate is willing to obey your command!’ At that moment, I knew Liangshan was truly going to change.”

—

On her first day taking charge of Liangshan, Yan Qing stayed up all night.

The candlelight in the Hall of Righteous Gathering burned until dawn. She and Lu Junyi, Wu Yong, and several core leaders repeatedly discussed matters. Outside the hall, the entire Liangshan Marsh was enveloped in a peculiar atmosphere – a mix of excitement from the regime change and trepidation about the unknown future.

“Xiao Yi,” Lu Junyi spread a bamboo scroll on the table, “this is Liangshan’s current troop roster. We have 3,600 cavalry, 5,200 infantry, and 2,800 navy. Including the garrisons of each stronghold, that’s a total of over 12,000 men.”

Wu Yong lightly fanned himself with his feather fan, “The food and provisions are only enough for half a month. This is the most pressing issue.”

Yan Qing’s gaze swept over the numbers on the bamboo scroll, her mind already made up. She took out a silk document, which was the “Liangshan Army Reorganization Outline” drafted after her discussion with Li Shishi last night.

“Everyone, please take a look,” she unfurled the silk document. “My idea is to break the existing structure and reorganize.”

The contents of the outline surprised everyone present. The cavalry would be reorganized into three camps: the Dragon Soaring Camp, the Tiger Wing Camp, and the Leopard Strategy Camp. The infantry would be divided into the Elite Warriors Camp, the Vanguard Camp, and the Formation-Breaker Camp. The navy would consist of three branches: the Tower Ship Unit, the Assault Boat Unit, and the Swift Boat Unit. Each camp would have one commander and two deputy commanders, with subordinate officers like captains and scribes.

“This… this is to completely copy the imperial military system,” Wu Yong stroked his beard and pondered.

“Not only that,” Yan Qing produced another document, “we will also establish the Armaments Bureau, the Provisions Bureau, and the Medical Bureau, each with its own responsibilities. Any soldier who earns military merit, regardless of origin, can be promoted.”

The most shocking provision was the last one: “Additionally, a Flying Phoenix Camp will be established, exclusively for women to enlist, to be led by Yang Bamei.”

“Impossible!” Dong Ping was the first to object. “Women are weak, how can they fight on the battlefield?”

Zhang Qing also frowned, “Moreover, mixing men and women, what kind of order is that?”

Even Lu Junyi subtly advised, “Xiao Yi, the other clauses are all fine, but this matter of women enlisting… could we reconsider?”

Yan Qing had anticipated objections. She slowly rose, “Do you all know how many widows of fallen soldiers Liangshan has? And how many homeless women?”

She walked to the window and pointed to the distant encampments with rising smoke, “They do odd jobs around Liangshan, like sewing and cooking, just to make a living. But if we give them an opportunity, who says women cannot achieve great things?”

Dong Ping sneered, “Easily said! The battlefield is about real combat with swords and spears, not child’s play!”

“If that is the case…” Yan Qing turned, “then please accompany me to the training ground, Brother Dong Ping, and let’s see if women can truly fight!”

The news quickly spread. When Yan Qing and Yang Bamei arrived at the training ground, they were already surrounded by a crowd. Even the soldiers who were training stopped their movements, looking on with curiosity.

Yang Bamei, dressed in a fiery red uniform and holding a gleaming silver spear, was full of spirit and valor. She cupped her fist towards Yan Qing, “Your subordinate requests guidance from Brother Yan Qing!”

Yan Qing smiled slightly, untied her hairband, and let her dark hair cascade down. “Please.”

Yang Bamei did not hold back. She flicked her silver spear and aimed directly at Yan Qing’s face. This thrust was fast and fierce, carrying the iron-blooded aura of battlefield combat, the opening move of the Yang family spear technique, “Azure Dragon Emerging from the Sea.”

Yan Qing did not meet it head-on. She employed the Flowing Cloud Steps, her movements as elusive as a phantom. Her green robe fluttered in the wind of the spear, and each time, she narrowly avoided a fatal blow.

“Good footwork!” Lin Chong, who was watching, couldn’t help but exclaim. As a master of spear techniques, he could immediately see the subtlety of Yan Qing’s footwork.

Ten rounds passed in the blink of an eye. Yang Bamei’s spear techniques became faster, and Yan Qing’s footwork became more exquisite. The surrounding soldiers watched in stunned silence, none having expected a woman’s martial arts to be so refined.

“Thirty rounds!” someone shouted in surprise.

At this moment, Yan Qing paused. Her right hand shot out like lightning and gently pressed on the spear shaft. The press seemed soft, but it almost made Yang Bamei’s silver spear fly out of her hand.

Yang Bamei’s expression changed. Her spear technique shifted, and she unleashed the ultimate move of the Yang family spear, “Returning Horse Spear.” This thrust was unexpected and ferociously potent. The onlookers held their breath for her.

However, Yan Qing seemed to have anticipated it. Her body leaped up like a willow catkin, and her toes lightly tapped the tip of the spear. She used the force to flip behind Yang Bamei.

“Forgive me,” Yan Qing said softly and lightly pressed a finger on Yang Bamei’s back’s vital point.

Yang Bamei’s entire body went numb, and her silver spear clattered to the ground. She was stunned for a moment, then suddenly knelt on one knee:

“Your subordinate… is utterly convinced! I am willing to obey Brother Yan Qing’s command!”

The entire field fell silent.

Anyone could see that Yan Qing had shown restraint. If it had been a fight to the death, Yang Bamei would have perished long ago.

Yan Qing helped Yang Bamei up and turned to face the crowd, “Now, does anyone still think women cannot fight?”

Dong Ping, Zhang Qing, and others turned red in the face, unable to speak.

Lu Junyi sighed, “Xiao Yi’s martial arts are peerless. This brother admires you.”

With this sparring match, the army reorganization order was finally implemented. Over the next half month, Liangshan underwent earth-shattering changes.

Yan Qing personally supervised the transformation of the loosely organized stronghold into a well-disciplined army. She drew upon the Song dynasty military system provided by Li Shishi and her own knowledge from modern times to establish a complete command structure.

The three cavalry camps were led by Guan Sheng, Lin Chong, and Qin Ming respectively. The three infantry camps were managed by Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, and Li Kui. The navy remained under the command of the Ruan brothers. Each camp had one commander and two deputy commanders, with subordinate officers like captains and scribes, creating a tiered command system.

The most noteworthy development was the establishment of the Flying Phoenix Camp. Under Yang Bamei’s call, not only did the female dependents of Liangshan enthusiastically enlist, but many women from surrounding prefectures and counties also came seeking to join. In just ten days, over five hundred women were recruited.

One day, Yan Qing was inspecting the training of the Flying Phoenix Camp when Shi Xiu rushed in to report, “Big Brother, this is bad! Dong Ping and Zhang Qing are leading their respective troops and say they want to leave the mountain!”

Yan Qing frowned, “For what reason?”

“They say… they say Liangshan is letting women take charge, and it’s bound to fail…”

Yan Qing sneered, “Lead the way!”

On the training ground, Dong Ping and Zhang Qing had indeed assembled over a thousand men from their units and were about to descend the mountain. Seeing Yan Qing arrive, Dong Ping raised his head and said, “Yan Qing, our paths diverge, and we cannot conspire together! We must find our own way out!”

“You may,” Yan Qing unexpectedly did not stop them. “But you must follow Liangshan’s rules.”

She pointed to the arena in the center of the training ground, “If you can last thirty rounds against me, I will personally escort you down the mountain. If you cannot…”

Her gaze turned cold, “Then you will obediently stay and follow orders!”

Dong Ping was furious, “Good! So be it!”

This time, Yan Qing did not hold back. Her Flowing Cloud Steps combined with exquisite swordplay. In less than ten moves, Dong Ping’s double spears were knocked away. Zhang Qing attempted to assist, but Yang Bamei intercepted him with a spear thrust.

“Is there anyone else who wants to leave?” Yan Qing surveyed the crowd.

The thousand-plus soldiers looked at each other, no one daring to respond.

Yan Qing then sheathed her sword and said to Dong Ping and Zhang Qing, “Brothers, the imperial army is pressing in, and this is a time when we need all hands. Can we set aside personal grievances for now and face the enemy together?”

Dong Ping and Zhang Qing exchanged glances, then finally bowed, “We are willing to obey your command!”

After sorting out the military affairs, Yan Qing began to focus on improving civilian life. She established the Medical Bureau, with An Daoquan in charge, to treat wounded soldiers and the sick. She opened the Martial Arts Academy, where veteran generals like Lin Chong and Xu Ning taught martial arts. Most importantly, through cooperation with the Grand Canal Transport Gang, she established a stable supply of food and provisions.

A month later, when Tong Guan led a fifty-thousand-strong army to the foot of Liangshan, he saw a new army with a neat formation and high morale.

Standing on the watchtower, Yan Qing looked at the continuous military camps below and said to Lu Junyi beside her, “Brother, what do you think Tong Guan will feel when he sees Liangshan like this?”

Lu Junyi stroked his beard and smiled, “He will surely regret it deeply.”

Indeed, Liangshan at this moment was no longer the disorganized stronghold it once was, but a formidable elite force.

Yan Qing caressed the Liangshan Great Seal at her waist, a surge of ambition rising in her heart.

This was just the beginning. She intended to make Liangshan, and this entire world, change.

—

(End of Chapter Thirty-One)