Chapter 14: Gan Jiu’s Halberd Dance

Liu Zhang waved his hand and had two short halberds brought over.

As a Three Kingdoms enthusiast, he was somewhat knowledgeable about this weapon. The ancient text "Explanation of Names" states: “A halberd is a striking weapon, with a branch-like blade on the side. The chariot halberd is called ‘chang,’ measuring sixteen feet in length, held at the front of the chariot. Eight feet is called ‘xun,’ and twice ‘xun’ is also ‘chang.’ The hand halberd is held by hand and is a shorter version.” Halberds come in two sizes: the longer version, reaching up to sixteen feet, was a crucial weapon in chariot warfare; the shorter one, wielded by hand, was commonly used in infantry combat. Gan Jiu was skilled with the short halberd for infantry fighting.

Taking the two short halberds, one in each hand, Gan Jiu’s spirit and vigor transformed instantly, as if he had stepped directly onto the battlefield, exuding a fierce and deadly aura.

An old soldier with years of experience, a seasoned wanderer, Gan Jiu wielded the dual halberds as if they were extensions of his very body, striking east when pointing east, west when pointing west.

The halberd, a weapon created by combining the advantages of the spear and the dagger-axe, in Gan Jiu’s hands was used for precise thrusts and sweeping strikes alike, all movements as elusive and unpredictable as a gazelle’s antlers.

To showcase his prowess, Gan Jiu danced with his dual halberds, darting left and right like a hawk hunting in the sky. He planted one halberd firmly on the ground, leapt upon it, and wielded the other like a ring blade, demonstrating the skill of the "walking halberd."

After the dazzling performance, Liu Zhang clapped his hands together, eyes dazzled, and praised, “Excellent.”

Liu Zhang, who had never cared much for warriors before and knew little about martial affairs, had lived in this era for over twenty years. He recalled one or two halberd performances from memory, but comparing those to Gan Jiu’s was like comparing heaven and earth—people differ, and so do things. Gan Jiu could truly be called the greatest halberd dancer.

“Watching Ah Jiu wield the halberds is like drinking fine wine, intoxicating without realizing it,” Liu Zhang said, then turned to Gan Ning: “Xingba, the position of military registrar is under the captain. I think your military registrar should be none other than Ah Jiu.”

Gan Ning beamed with joy; this had been his intention in having Gan Jiu perform. Turning to the still stunned Gan Jiu, he said, “Ah Jiu, go thank him.”

“Gan Jiu thanks Master Minggong. I dare not fail in loyalty or sacrifice,” Gan Jiu bowed deeply. A mere commoner, he had now stepped into the post of military registrar. His eyes seemed to moisten—a seven-foot man who had not shed tears for many years was now deeply moved, his heart stirred.

As a country lad, he had no talents other than his martial skills. Warriors were always looked down upon. The noble families valued learning, refinement, and pedigree, yet he was a rustic without even literacy.

The aristocrats despised him, and Gan Jiu felt his own coarseness. But this Master Minggong before him treated him like a friend, appreciated his martial skill, appointed him military registrar on the spot, and showed genuine respect without a trace of contempt or disdain.

Raising his eyes, he saw the newly appointed Governor of Yizhou before him, tall and dignified, commanding respect. Indeed, as his commander had said, this Mr. Liu was an exceptionally wise and rare enlightened ruler.

Liu Zhang took a cup of fine wine and approached Gan Jiu. “Ah Jiu, the halberd dance was hard work. Drink this cup to your fill.”

“Thank you, Master Minggong,” Gan Jiu said heartily, draining the cup and then showing it empty with both hands.

“Truly a hero. Take your seat. Tonight, we shall enjoy ourselves fully.”

---

After several rounds of wine, the atmosphere gradually warmed.

“Hmm,” Liu Zhang sat in the main seat, facing the door, watching all movements outside clearly. The new maid Caivei hurried to the door but, seeing Liu Zhang entertaining guests, quickly slipped to the side, then, breaking protocol, peeked anxiously before retreating, not daring to show herself again.

Something urgent must be afoot; otherwise, this usually obedient maid would not be so bold. Liu Zhang called out, “Caivei, what’s the matter? Come in and speak.”

Hearing his voice, Caivei hurried out from the side and knelt in front of the hall, but dared not speak, only glanced at Gan Ning and Gan Jiu seated beside Liu Zhang.

“Xingba and Ah Jiu are no strangers. Speak freely,” Liu Zhang noticed Caivei’s hesitation and encouraged her.

Only then did Caivei speak, her tone full of pleading: “Master, please save my mother.”

“Today, Third Young Master demanded a singing girl. My mother refused, so they seized her, saying she deserved fifty lashes for disrespect. My mother is old—how can she bear fifty lashes?”

“Caivei, lead the way,” Liu Zhang said without further questioning, rising and calling Gan Ning and Gan Jiu: “Xingba, Ah Jiu, come with me.”

---

Fifteen minutes earlier, at Liu Mao’s separate residence.

Seeing Li Da return alone, Liu Mao frowned, about to scold.

“Master, Aunt Wang refused. I wore out my tongue, even my mouth is dry, but still no success,” Li Da spoke first, then added, “Aunt Wang also said…”

“What did Aunt Wang say? Speak louder,” Liu Mao snapped as Li Da’s following words grew faint.

“Aunt Wang said if Fourth Young Master asked, she would comply, since he is now Master and holds a high rank. If Third Young Master wants, he must have Fourth Young Master’s approval. The household is now under Fourth Young Master’s authority,” Li Da blurted out, adding exaggerations to shift blame onto Aunt Wang.

“Find Aunt Wang,” Liu Mao said calmly, not enraged but with a quiet storm brewing beneath his serene expression—an unmistakable wrath of one in power.

“Yes, yes,” Li Da responded quickly and hurried off to find Aunt Wang.

Liu Mao narrowed his eyes watching Li Da leave. The once elegant nobleman’s demeanor was gone, replaced by a face like a wrathful ghost, ready to devour.

---

Walking along, Li Da was in high spirits, relieved to have escaped punishment. Had he told the truth, Liu Mao might have blamed him for incompetence and lost favor. So he half-truthfully blamed Aunt Wang for the failed request, and most importantly, invoked Fourth Young Master Liu Zhang, contrasting him with Liu Mao.

He knew Liu Mao’s greatest concern was the position of Governor of Yizhou. Now, having lost that post, he feared others would taunt him, striking at his heart.

Now it was resolved: the anger that should have fallen on Li Da was instead borne by Aunt Wang, leaving him out of trouble and in Liu Mao’s good graces. This was the art of words—lightly shifting all blame onto Aunt Wang.

Only Aunt Wang suffered, bearing the scorn. There was old resentment between Li Da and Aunt Wang: as deputy steward of the household, Li Da once set his sights on a singing girl and requested her from Aunt Wang. When she refused, he bore a grudge. Now old and new grudges alike were avenged.

Soon, Li Da returned with Aunt Wang in tow. Liu Mao looked at the aged servant, finding her loathsome. Before she could speak, he ground his teeth and snarled, “You old servant, I respect your age and call you Aunt Wang, but you are too bold. I, as Master, ask for a few singing girls, and you refuse.”

Aunt Wang lowered her eyes, meekly replying, “Master, it’s not that this servant refused, but that Master Liu issued a strict order: recently, all singing and dancing in the household requires his approval.”

“You want me to beg Ji Yu?” Liu Mao’s voice was calm yet despairing. Aunt Wang’s words matched Li Da’s earlier report.

“You vile servant, how dare you use Ji Yu to evade me and sow discord between us,” Liu Mao raged.

“Li Da, give this vile servant fifty lashes—hard—right at my door.”

“Yes, sir,” Li Da dared not disobey. Calling out at the door, “Zhang San, Li Si, drag this vile servant outside and give her fifty heavy lashes.”

“Master, I did not—”

“I did not—”

Ignoring her pleas, Zhang San and Li Si seized her at the door and struck down with a white waxwood rod.

Listening to the wails and cries for mercy outside, Liu Mao drank a cup of fine wine, feeling somewhat relieved. That sound was somehow more melodious than the singing girls inside the household.