Chapter Eleven: Dire Straits

No one wanted to pack up their families and leave the relatively stable and safe Zhang Village. Zhang Chen intended to drive out the forty-three able-bodied men who had refused to fight, along with their immediate families, and Fatty Niu felt that violence was inevitable.

Having visited Zhang Village before, Fatty Niu was somewhat familiar with the place. More importantly, he had gathered significant intelligence over the past two days, gaining a clear understanding of the background of Wang Laowu, the village’s notorious bully.

"Young Master, slow down," Xia Hua called out as he ran toward the large courtyard on the front street.

"I am not going to war, Fatty. Go back and tend to your wounds." Zhang Chen rebuked him, adding, "The villagers won't gang up on me. Two or three thugs are no match for me. I am fine. You, you fat fool, go finish that bowl of light salt water."

Qi Guoshu led Zhang Chen to the gate of Wang Laowu’s house, continuing his plea: "Master, a fine of fifty taels of silver for each family would suffice. They surely wouldn't dare to offend again."

"The village rules of Zhang Village are filed with the county magistrate. That is to say, the village rules are the law. Before the law, all are equal. There must be laws to follow, laws must be obeyed, enforcement must be strict, and violations must be punished!"

Zhang Chen walked into Wang Laowu’s home. "The forty-three able-bodied men who refused to fight last night, along with their immediate families, must move out of Zhang Village. Wang Laowu, get out here! Take your wife and children and get out of Zhang Village!"

News of Zhang Chen’s intent to exile these families drew a crowd of villagers eager to watch the spectacle. Suspecting that Zhang Chen would use him as an example, Wang Laowu’s four brothers and four cousins were already waiting for him at the house. None of them had fought the previous night. All in their twenties or thirties and physically strong, they had hidden at home, convinced that Zhang Chen could do nothing to them. The Wang brothers were notorious bullies in Zhang Village, known for oppressing the weak and terrorizing the neighborhood.

As Zhang Chen arrived, the eight brothers emerged from the east wing, eyeing him coldly.

"What are you bluffing about? Who are you telling to get out of Zhang Village?" Wang Laowu stepped out of the main room, looking at Zhang Chen with disdain. "Get lost. Since this is your first offense against me, I’ll spare you this once. Ah—"

Zhang Chen stepped forward and slapped Wang Laowu across the face. "Insulting your landlord—that deserves a beating!"

"You dare hit me? Have you forgotten the law?" With his right cheek visibly swelling, Wang Laowu spat out teeth mixed with blood. He grabbed a wooden club as thick as a man's arm from the ground and swung it at Zhang Chen’s head. "I'll bash you to death!"

The brothers and cousins moved forward, posturing to swarm him.

The situation became increasingly interesting, and the villagers continued to watch. Qi Guoshu, Wang Shumen, Meng Xueren, and other local militia members exchanged glances.

Suddenly, Zhang Chen moved. He took a diagonal step, dodged the club, and delivered a powerful kick to Wang Laowu’s chest.

With a scream, Wang Laowu flew three or four meters before crashing heavily to the ground. Blood gushed from his mouth as he desperately clutched his chest. His sternum had been shattered; in the Ming Dynasty, his injuries were beyond saving. As his breathing grew shallow, the notorious bully of Zhang Village was on the verge of death. The crowd gasped in shock.

"You killed Fifth Brother! Zhang Chen, pay with your life!" Wang Laoda, the eldest brother, stepped forward. "Brothers, kill him! Avenge Fifth Brother!"

With a shout, the eight Wang men charged. The villagers stepped back to keep watching.

"Attacking the Master? Wang Laoda, what are you doing? Do you want to die?" Qi Guoshu stepped in front of Zhang Chen. "Mengshu, seize the Wang brothers!"

Wang Mengshu, the captain of the village militia, rushed forward with his men. After witnessing Zhang Chen slay three bandits—including the leader, Wu Datou—the night before, the militia held him in high regard. His fair treatment of the villagers—rewarding the brave and punishing the cowardly—had earned him their respect and support.

Zhang Da’an, Zhang Er’an, and Fatty Niu hurried over, with Fatty Niu in the lead. "Young Master, I couldn't rest at home. Are you all right?"

"You have a death wish, trying to hurt the Young Master?" Fatty Niu pushed through the militia, slamming into Wang Laoda and knocking him over. "Wang Laoda, are you tired of living?"

"It’s a misunderstanding! We wouldn't dare harm Master Zhang," Wang Laoda feigned, while secretly pulling a short blade from his robe. "Wang Mengshu, cousin, we are kin! We share the same ancestor."

As he spoke, he scrambled up from the ground, pushed off with his feet, and lunged at Zhang Chen, aiming the blade at his chest. *Once Zhang Chen is dead, the militia will help us. The authorities won't care about a death in a village feud. We eight brothers will be able to rule Zhang Village again.*

"You're courting death!" Fatty Niu, having kept an eye on him, kicked Wang Laoda, sending him stumbling.

"Go to hell!" Zhang Chen dodged the blade and threw a right hook, striking Wang Laoda squarely in the throat.

With a sickening crack, the larynx shattered. Wang Laoda collapsed, gasping for air, unable to utter a sound. His face turned purple from lack of oxygen; his countdown had begun.

Having ruthlessly struck down both Wang brothers, Zhang Chen’s remaining opponents froze, faces pale, as they stepped back in terror.

At that moment, Fatty Niu let out a cry and sat hard on the ground. "It hurts... my back is killing me. Young Master, the wound must have opened. This is bad... I still need that salt water!"

The exertion of kicking Wang Laoda had caused his stitches to tear, soaking his clothes in blood.

"Within three days, those forty-three men and their families must move out of Zhang Village," Zhang Chen declared. He and Zhang Da’an helped the wounded Fatty Niu up, glancing at the fallen Wang brothers, not even bothering to identify which one was the second brother.