Chapter Forty: Preparations Before the Hellish Training Begins

Li Yi arrived at the workshop to find Iron Yan waiting for him in the main hall.

“How is it, Old Iron? Is it finished?” Li Yi asked as soon as he stepped inside.

“Yes, young master!” Iron Yan replied, handing the item to Li Yi.

Li Yi took it and examined it—it was exactly what he wanted. He had asked for horseshoes. Just a few days ago, Juechen’s hooves had cracked from exhaustion, which had reminded Li Yi of this object. Outwardly, such a thing seemed worthless, but if it were to appear for the first time, it would be a true game-changer. On the battlefield, without horseshoes, nearly sixty percent of horses were lost, and seventy percent of that loss stemmed from hooves injured by sharp debris or scattered weapons underfoot. Li Yi could not afford to be careless.

“Very good! This is exactly it. Old Iron, come with me, I’ll show you how to use it!”

Iron Yan nodded and followed Li Yi outside.

Li Yi led Iron Yan to the stables, where Juechen was lying about in utter boredom. Upon seeing Li Yi, his master, enter, the horse didn’t bother to give him a glance, clearly holding a grudge for not being visited today.

Li Yi could only smile wryly.

“Juechen, get up! I’ve brought you a present today!”

Juechen lifted his eyelids, disbelief written all over his face.

Li Yi raised the horseshoe in his hand. “See this? Didn’t you hurt your hoof? I’m here to fix you up! Now, stand up and lift your foot.”

Juechen shot Li Yi a suspicious look, but stood and raised a hoof.

“Watch carefully, Old Iron!” Li Yi said, glancing at Juechen. “Juechen, this might hurt a bit, bear with it, and don’t start kicking!”

Juechen looked at Li Yi with disdain, as if to say, “Do you think I’m you?”

Li Yi rolled his eyes and began to nail the horseshoe on. He had at least learned the theory behind it, if not the skill; he’d watched it done before, so he did his best to imitate what he’d seen.

After half an hour of struggle, Li Yi finally finished, and Juechen was left exhausted and in pain. Li Yi’s handiwork was less than stellar; though he succeeded, the process was harrowing. Fortunately, Juechen endured—if not, he’d surely have kicked Li Yi into paralysis.

Li Yi stood, inhaled deeply, and asked, “Old Iron, have you learned it?”

Old Iron nodded rapidly. “Young master, you could have let me do it; you only needed to instruct me!”

Li Yi’s face darkened—he was actually being disliked! He glanced back at Juechen, who wore the same expression, and Li Yi could no longer hold it together.

“Well then, Old Iron, come with me.”

Leaving the stable, Li Yi took Iron Yan to the study, where he found Li Zixuan, Jiang Lichen, and Bingyu already waiting.

Li Yi nodded to the three. “Please sit and wait a moment.”

They nodded. Li Yi led Iron Yan to the desk and handed him some drawings—designs for training special troops: horizontal bars, parallel bars, balance beams, plum blossom stakes, and the like.

“Old Iron, take these back with you. For the next couple of days, work on these together with Uncle Lin. Leave the furniture to the others—I believe after a day they’ll have learned enough. These training tools are critical; you must make them sturdy. I’ve written all the requirements clearly on the drawings. Take a look and see if there are any questions.”

Iron Yan studied them carefully, thought it over, and then nodded to Li Yi.

“Good. If there’s nothing else, then get to work. Finish each piece and bring it to Bingyu—he knows where to deliver them.”

Iron Yan agreed, bowed, and withdrew.

“So, have you made up your mind?” Only after Iron Yan left did Li Yi turn his attention to Jiang Lichen.

Jiang Lichen replied with unusual determination, “I want to go to hell.”

“Are you sure? There’s no turning back from this road. Once you go, there’s no retreat.”

Jiang Lichen glanced tenderly at Li Zixuan, then said firmly, “I will never regret it.”

“Very well! I don’t know how you convinced Zixuan.” Li Yi chuckled, seeing the lingering worry on Li Zixuan’s face. “Zixuan, don’t worry! It’s only a bit of hardship, nothing more. As for danger, yes, there is some, but it’s very slight. I said what I did just to prepare for the worst.”

“Really?” Li Zixuan was skeptical.

“I intend to let my own two little ones join in. What do you think?”

Only then did Li Zixuan feel relieved.

“Big brother, you scared me!”

“Heh! All right, since you’ve agreed, I have nothing to worry about. Zixuan, stay with Xueyan tonight, and from now on don’t go back to your own courtyard. I’m requisitioning it. In a few days, once things are set in motion, I’ll arrange another courtyard for you.”

“Fine! I’ve been wanting to see Xueyan anyway.”

“Then it’s settled. You two should leave now; I won’t keep you. Lichen, remember to wait outside your house at five fifteen tomorrow morning!”

“Wait, big brother—I heard Bingyu has some good food here?”

“What good food? There’s nothing left! All those ruffians and bandits ate it all! Stop thinking about it. Don’t worry, starting tomorrow you’ll eat well every day!”

With that, Li Yi shooed them out. Even they were starting to rob him now!

Once everyone had left, Li Yi finally enjoyed some peace. He slumped into his chair.

“I’m exhausted! Bingyu, come give me a massage!”

Bingyu quietly came up behind Li Yi and began to massage his shoulders.

“Oh! Ah! Not bad, Bingyu, you’re quite skilled!”

Bingyu smiled softly, not responding.

“By the way, has Chang Dong returned?”

“Young master, you wanted to see me?”

Speak of the devil—Chang Dong appeared the moment Li Yi finished speaking.

“Damn! A ghost! Is everything arranged?”

“Rest assured, young master. All seven men have been brought back, no problem at all.”

“Good. By the way, I sent you to find Jiang Lichen last time. Do you remember where he lives?”

“Of course I remember.”

“Good, describe the way. Bingyu, make sure you remember it too.”

...

A stick of incense later, Li Yi and Bingyu had confirmed the location—mainly for Li Yi, whose sense of direction was terrible.

“All right, Chang Dong, go get some rest. Tomorrow at five fifteen, I want to see them all on the training field. No breakfast needed.”

Chang Dong’s eyes sharpened. He answered and withdrew.

“At last, nothing more to do!”

“Young master, you must be tired.”

“Aren’t I just! I haven’t stopped all day.”

“Young master, why are you in such a rush?”

Li Yi rubbed his brow helplessly. “Do you think I want to be? The Great Tang might look peaceful, but there are enemies everywhere. You never know when they’ll strike. Some things just can’t be delayed.”

“Bingyu doesn’t understand these things—she only doesn’t want you to be too tired.”

Li Yi chuckled. “A little hard work is good; at least life feels worthwhile that way. People shouldn’t get too comfortable—trouble follows.”

As he spoke, Li Yi fell sound asleep, after all, this body was only fifteen.

Hearing Li Yi’s heavy breathing, Bingyu’s eyes flashed with a trace of pity. She fetched a blanket and gently covered him.

...

Night fell as expected, deep and impenetrable, inviting exploration yet impossible to fathom even by day—how could we ever unravel its mysteries?

Li Yi slept soundly and peacefully; rest after exhaustion was always blissful.

He looked up at the sky—it was about nine in the evening.

“Bingyu, Bingyu!”

“I’m here, young master!” Li Yi turned and saw Bingyu behind him, still holding a book, her serene demeanor unchanged.

“You’re still reading? Cut back at night, there’s no electric light in this Great Tang, just candlelight—it’ll hurt your eyes.”

“Okay, I understand.” Bingyu didn’t know what electric light was, but she knew Li Yi cared, and that was enough.

“By the way, Bingyu, do you think my grandparents and uncles can sleep at this hour?”

Bingyu thought for a moment. “The old master and mistress should be resting, but your uncle and aunt probably haven’t yet.”

“Good. Come walk with me.”

A quarter hour later, Li Yi arrived with Bingyu at the front courtyard, at the residence of Li Dejian.

He saw the lights were still on inside and called from outside, “Uncle, aunt, it’s Wen Yong. Are you still awake?”

As soon as he finished, Madam Cui opened the door and came out.

“So it’s you, Yi’er! Why are you standing outside? Come in quickly!”

Li Yi scratched his head. “I was worried I’d disturb your rest.”

Madam Cui blushed and gave Li Yi a playful slap. “You rascal, teasing your aunt now!”

“I would never!”

“All right, come in.”

Once inside, Li Yi saw Li Dejian reading; he clearly had not gone to bed.

Li Dejian smiled when he saw Li Yi. “Yi’er, come sit!”

“Uncle, I have a few things to trouble you with.”

Madam Cui shot Li Yi a look. “Child, just say what you need, no need for such words!”

“It’s like this—I need some people. Three cooks, about twenty servants, and a few dozen laborers. Carpenters and blacksmiths would be best as well—for now, that’s all.”

Li Dejian frowned in thought. “Our household doesn’t have that many, but it’s no big deal. When do you need them?”

“The sooner the better—preferably tomorrow morning.”

“So urgent? All right, I’ll have them ready for you by morning.”

“That’s wonderful, thank you, uncle and aunt!”

“No need to be so polite,” Madam Cui interjected.

“I can’t help it—it’s just a habit!”

Li Dejian chuckled. “Yi’er, do you need money? If so, don’t hesitate to ask your aunt.”

Li Yi quickly shook his head. “Don’t worry, aunt, I still have plenty. When I was in Luoyang, I made a bit on the side; it’ll last me for a while yet.” In fact, he still had the silver he brought from Mount Mao, and not to mention those five hundred taels of gold. Other than using a few dozen taels to buy a house for Jiang Lichen, he’d hardly touched a coin.

“Of course, you’re always so clever—you’ll never have to worry about food wherever you go!”

Li Yi grinned. “By the way, uncle and aunt, I’m about to train a group of people, and I’d like to bring Yesi and Yexu with me. It’ll be tough and tiring, and they’ll be away from home for a while, so I wanted your opinion.”

Li Dejian answered without hesitation, “Yi’er, don’t worry—train them as you see fit. There’s no need to consider us. The two boys are yours to guide now; I’m not much good at raising children. As the eldest brother is as a father, I leave them to you. If they’re disobedient, discipline them as you must; your aunt and I will never object.”

Li Yi looked to Madam Cui, who nodded. “Your uncle is right. Though I can’t bear it, too much kindness spoils children—don’t worry about me.”

Li Yi stood and said solemnly, “Uncle, aunt, rest assured. In three months’ time, I’ll give you two sons who are completely transformed. Have them report to my training ground at five fifteen tomorrow morning.”

“Don’t worry, Yi’er—they’ll be there on time.”

Li Yi nodded, bid them farewell, and turned to leave.