Chapter Forty-Five: The Reorganization of the Mine

Big Bro Broadsword nodded. “We’re all brothers who’ve faced death together—before, now, and always! Do you see all these laborers? The more than a thousand men standing on the east side will be leaving with us. From now on, you’ll be their leaders. Each of you will command a dozen, several dozen, even over a hundred brothers! Show some spirit and let them see that we’re men of discipline—only then will they follow you! If you’re still fighting amongst yourselves, how can you lead anyone?”

Biaozi was overjoyed at this. “Really? Brother, I can truly have my own men now?”

Big Bro Broadsword smiled. “Of course. The Commander has said—not only will you have your own squads, but when we return to Wheel Mountain, you’ll each be given your own territory. Understand? Do well, don’t let me lose face.”

Biaozi smiled so broadly that he could barely close his mouth. “Don’t worry, Brother!”

Beside him, Erganzi suddenly felt lost. Having his own territory and a team—this was far better than farming! Did he still want to leave? He felt reluctant. Then, thinking of the Russian beauty waiting at home, Ergazi realized life could be hard to choose.

Should he become a mountain king and bring her to be his wife? Impossible! Not only might Commander Yang and Big Bro Broadsword refuse, but even if they agreed, with Biaozi and the others watching, who knew when they’d put a green hat on him. Ergazi knew these men as well as he knew himself—they were all wolves at heart.

While he was still lost in thought, Yang Xiaolin announced Ergazi’s appointment: he was to be First Squad Leader of Third Company. Ergazi didn’t know what the ranks of company commander and squad leader meant, but being in charge of fifty brothers gave him a real sense of accomplishment.

With a thousand men, it was actually enough for a regiment, but Yang Xiaolin still organized this force as a battalion, under which there were five companies.

Company One’s commander was Sui Bing, also the guards company, usually at Yang Xiaolin’s side.

The remaining four companies, Yang Xiaolin planned to let them operate independently when they returned to Gulu Mountain, so they could develop on their own and reduce the burden of supplying Wheel Mountain.

Company Two’s commander was Gu Tianming.

Company Three’s commander was Li Debiao—Biaozi.

Company Four’s commander was Qian Yao.

The position of Fifth Company commander was left open for now. Yang Xiaolin had wanted to appoint a brother named Park Weixiu, who had followed Gu Tianming as a hunter and was capable both in skill and wit. But Big Bro Broadsword, Kong Landing, and even Gu Tianming himself disagreed.

They still remembered Liu Yikun. Now that the force was larger, they felt they couldn’t forget Big Brother Liu Yikun and had to at least leave a position for Liu Xianhe. Yang Xiaolin didn’t insist. He knew, as a military leader, he should stand firm, but Yang Xiaolin also had emotions—and loyalty to Big Bro Yang. So in the end, Park Weixiu became deputy commander of Fifth Company, and would lead the unit until Liu Xianhe returned.

No one objected to these appointments, apart from Ergazi, who was dissatisfied that Biaozi was now his company commander. The men Yang Xiaolin chose were indeed those who’d performed best.

He appointed himself battalion commander, Big Bro Broadsword as deputy, and Kong Landing as battalion staff officer.

Kong Landing was of little use in a fight, often needing others to protect him, but after battles, his value was evident. He quickly organized the thousand men into five companies as Yang Xiaolin had ordered.

Next came distributing arms and supplies. This was a Russian supply depot—there was no shortage of guns or ammunition. To Yang Xiaolin’s surprise, several laborers in Company Two had worked artillery in the Qing army and knew how to handle cannons! That was a true stroke of luck.

Each company had two hundred men, each equipped with a repeating rifle, four grenades, and a melee weapon. The melee weapons weren’t standardized since all their gear was looted from the Russians, who hadn’t prepared close-combat weapons for this war with the Qing. So, the soldiers’ arms were a motley assortment—some had knives, others clubs, but everyone had to have something.

Each company also received three heavy machine guns and two small field guns. At last, Yang Xiaolin’s force had taken shape.

Some men were handed over to Tang Yulin, whose losses in the recent fight had been heavy. Yang Xiaolin couldn’t ignore Tang Yulin’s casualties.

Though only a little over three hundred men were added, each got a repeating rifle and several Russian Maxim machine guns, which Tang Yulin had never used before. He was delighted, his face beaming as he integrated his men and then came over to Yang Xiaolin.

“Brother Yang, robbing the Russians is really satisfying! We’ve traded our old muskets for artillery! All Russian equipment—if Old Five Zhang saw this, he’d be green with envy!”

Thinking of Zhang Zuolin, Yang Xiaolin’s mood sank. Now that he’d made his first leap forward, would Zhang Zuolin be left behind forever? A conflict arose in his heart: he both wished the future Northeast King would never surpass him, and yet secretly hoped this rival would not let him down.

Yang Xiaolin patted Tang Yulin’s shoulder. “Big Brother Tang, have the men prepare. We can’t rest tonight—we must leave before dawn.”

Tang Yulin understood immediately and nodded. “Don’t worry. My men can move at a moment’s notice.”

Looking at his assembled force, Yang Xiaolin slowly stepped onto the platform in the center of the square. He swept his gaze over the crowd and spoke.

“Brothers, my name is Yang Xiaolin. You can call me Commander Yang, or just call me big brother—whatever you like, even just my name! I want to tell you all, from today forward, you are bandits!”

The crowd fell silent. This blunt announcement brought a sense of disappointment; miners who’d been admiring their new weapons now grew quiet. To be a bandit was not an honorable name.

Yang Xiaolin stood straight in the cold wind and raised his voice. “No one wants to be a bandit. I don’t either! I used to be a Qing army commander—not a high rank, but I lived comfortably! I collected my pay, bullied the common folk, and ran at the first sign of an enemy. Wasn’t that a good life? Who wants to hide out in these mountains, shivering in the wind, not knowing where the next meal comes from or if we’ll wake to see another day? No one does!”

He meant every word. Commander Yang truly missed his old life; even Yang Xiaolin felt as if those days as a small-town constable were like living in paradise. The laborers below felt the same longing for a peaceful life stir in their hearts.

Yang Xiaolin pointed outward. “Let’s not talk about anything else—just look at today. Over three hundred brothers came to take this mine, and only a hundred are left! When will it be my turn? Maybe next year, maybe tomorrow, maybe the next bullet will be for me! But if I could choose again, I’d still lead the men into this fight! Why?”

No one answered; instead, everyone unconsciously edged closer to the platform, even Tang Yulin’s men gathering around.

Yang Xiaolin lifted his head high. “There’s only one reason—when I saw those Russians kneeling at my feet, I truly felt like a man!”

His words ignited the blood of the laborers. After years of Russian oppression, they had tasted what it felt like to be real men.

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